Safely dispose of prescription medications at Hines VA Hospital on April 27

All Chicago-area residents, including non-veterans, can safely dispose of expired or unused prescription medications at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the hospital, 5000 S. 5th Ave, Hines, in Parking Lot A, located near the main hospital entrance.

Drop-offs are anonymous. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be accepted. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

The event is in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hines VA police. For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications - those that are old, unwanted, or expired. The event has removed 8,950 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

For more information and to find additional collection sites, visit DEATakeBack.com.

This action results from legislation signed into law by President Joseph Biden on July 29, 2021. The Dispose Unused Medications and Prescription (DUMP) Opioids Act requires VA to establish time periods when Veterans and non-Veterans can dispose of opioids and other controlled substance medications at VA facilities.

Nonveterans who can’t participate in VA Take Back Days can use DEA’s Public Disposal Locations Search Tool to find year-round collection sites. Veterans enrolled for VA health care can dispose of medications at any time using Hines VA’s secured drop-off locations near the pharmacy and inside F-Lobby.