Carbondale Police Department launches medication take-back program

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The Carbondale Police Department has launched a medication take-back program, providing residents with a secure and convenient way to dispose of unused, expired or leftover prescription and over-the-counter medications.

A secure drop-off receptacle has been installed in the lobby of the Carbondale Police Department at 501 S. Washington St. This initiative aims to prevent medications from falling into the wrong hands and promote environmentally responsible disposal practices.

Assistant to the chief for community information Randy Mathis said they’ve done take-back events in the past, usually twice a year, but now they can offer disposal year round.

According to Mathis, properly disposing of medications – rather than flushing them down the toilet – helps keep the water supply clean and reduces the risk of accidental ingestion, misuse or abuse.

“If you have to hang onto it for just two times a year, then you’re really not properly disposing of it,” he said, “that gives greater potential for that to be misused.”

According to national statistics, unused medications in homes are a major source of drug misuse, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. Studies show that 47% of misused prescription pain relievers come from friends or family members, with a drug overdose claiming an American life every five minutes.

At the Gibson Center for Behavioral Change, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Essex has experience as a substance use counselor.

“I would say that we can all probably go into our medicine cabinets right now and find a lot of unused prescriptions,” he said.

According to Essex, holding onto unused and left over medications can lead to misuse.

“Misuse can come in many ways,” he said. “It can come from someone else giving you a medication that maybe they don’t fully understand how it works and the dangers of taking it. It could be someone, unfortunately, stealing a medication from someone who didn’t use a full prescription.”

“The City of Carbondale wants to provide residents with a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted medications while protecting their families and the environment,” said City Manager and Police Chief Stan Reno.

The drug take-back receptacle is available to the public daily, and most medications can be accepted. However, injectable products and needles cannot be deposited. Police department staff will provide guidance on proper disposal options for restricted items.

This program is made possible through a partnership with Inmar Intelligence, an industry leader in medication disposal solutions, funded by drug manufacturers.