The City of Collinsville and the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 26.

Unwanted prescription, or over-the-counter, medications can be dropped off in the front lobby of the Collinsville Police Department from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Persons dropping off medication do not have to provide personal information.

Photo by Roger Starkey

The first 25 people who return their medication to the Madison County State’s Attorney sponsored site will receive free prescription lock boxes or bags. The drop off location is the parking lot on 2nd Street, behind the County Administration Building at 157 N. Main St., Edwardsville.

Accepted items include: over-the-counter medications, cough syrup, prescription medications, vitamins, hormones, painkillers and antibiotics.

Items not accepted are: hypodermic needles, intravenous solutions, chemotherapy drugs, mercury thermometers, hearing aids, oxygen tanks or household hazardous waste.

On National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day last April, over 742,000 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in across the United States. Approximately 75 pounds were collected at the site in Edwardsville, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office said in a statement.

Secure drop-off boxes are available in the lobbies of four local police departments all year. The locations are: the Collinsville Police Department, 200 West Clay St.; the Maryville Police Department, 2500 North Center St.; the Caseyville Police Department, 100 West Morris St. and the Fairmont City Police Department, 2601 N. 41st Street.