Deliver Your News to the World

Madison and Randolph County PD’s Partner with Illinois American Water for Pharmaceutical Disposal Programs

Four programs implemented across southern Illinois


Belleville , Ill. – WEBWIRE

Madison County and Randolph County police departments have partnered with Illinois American Water to implement pharmaceutical disposal programs across southern Illinois. Illinois American Water donated the pharmaceutical drop boxes, which can be accessed at:

  • East Alton Police Department at 211 North Shamrock in East Alton, Ill.
  • Glen Carbon Police Department at 149 North Main Street in Glen Carbon, Ill.
  • Madison Police Department at 615 Madison Avenue in Madison, Ill.
  • Red Bud Police Department at 200 East Market Street in Red Bud, Ill.



Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted meds so they can be incinerated, which is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal. Flushing medications down the toilet or the drain as well as throwing them in the trash are discouraged.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to securely drop off unwanted medications,” said Madison County Sheriff John Lakin.“It’s important to keep these items out of the hands of our youth and out of landfills and water supplies.”

Red Bud Police Chief John Brittingham agrees, “We want to do our part to protect our young residents and the environment. By disposing of unused and expired medications, we can all make a difference.”

Through partnership with local pharmacies, police departments and government officials, Illinois American Water has helped to implement 37 pharmaceutical disposal programs. “These private-public partnerships are a great opportunity to collaborate for the protection of our communities and precious water resources,” said Grant Evitts, Illinois American Water’s Sr. Manager of Production and Field Services for the Southern Division.

The programs were created through P2D2 –a model developed by Pontiac High School students and their teacher Paul Ritter. P2D2 is recognized by Illinois EPA and Department of Natural Resources.In addition, the Drug Enforcement Agency sponsors an annual National Drug Take Back Day. Through these efforts, hundreds of thousands of pounds of unwanted medications have been disposed. Additional programs are located in Alton, Bartonville, Belleville, Caseyville, Champaign (three sites), Chicago (two sites), Chillicothe, Collinsville, Columbia, Dixon, Fairmont, Freeburg, Maryville, Morrison, Mt. Carroll, Mt. Vernon, O’Fallon, Orland Hills, Pekin, Peoria (three sites), Peoria Heights, Pontiac, South Beloit, Sterling, Streator, Urbana (two sites) and Waterloo. 

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

 



WebWireID199449





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.