Above / In April 2014, then-Councilman, now Mayor Steve Chirico, introduced a new program that provides 11 convenient locations for safe disposal of prescription medications year round. On Nov. 14, 2015, NPD Chief Mark Puknaitis, KidsMatter Executive Director IdaLynn Wenhold, NPD Chief Bob Marshall and the Mayor aim to heighten awareness about the dangers of improper disposal of prescription drugs.
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico has declared the Month of November “Don’t be an Accidental Drug Dealer Month” in order to increase awareness of the critical need for all citizens to monitor, secure and properly dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The proclamation was read at the City Council meeting on Nov. 3, 2015.
The month-long awareness campaign is now in progress.
Meanwhile, ParentsMatterToo is “committed to helping parents build resilient kids who say no to destructive behaviors and yes to endless possibilities.”
Rally planned for 9:30AM Sat. Nov. 14
Beginning at 9:30AM Sat., Nov. 14, adult and youth volunteers decked out in bright orange t-shirts will represent Parentsmatter Too when they board four Naperville Trolleys at City Hall, 400 S. Eagle St., and dispatch across the Naperville community to deliver educational literature.
With stops at local retailers, libraries, pharmacies, medical, dental and chiropractic offices, information will advise on the dangers of prescription and over the counter drugs left unsecured and improperly disposed of, while alerting residents to dispose of these drugs at Naperville fire stations of the Police Headquarters building on Aurora Avenue. (Note: Never dispose of drugs down the toilet.)
Even more, the aim of the awareness campaign is to warn citizen’s to monitor, secure and properly dispose of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs to prevent abuse, addiction and gateway to heroin, organizers said.
Fast Facts
- 1 in 4 Teens misuse or abuse prescription drugs – and that drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death in the United States
- Research by The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention show that 120 people die daily in the United States as a result of drug overdose
- Medications can be helpful – but also harmful or even fatal when taken in the dangerously high doses needed to “Get High”
- 3 practical steps: Monitoring, Securing, and Disposing of expired and unused medications – all Naperville Fire Stations and the Police Station have Drug Disposal Boxes
This initiative is funded by a grant from the City of Naperville.
Above / Residents will find the RX Drop Off box is located at every one of the 10 fire stations in Naperville as well as inside the Naperville Police Station, located in the Public Safety Center on Aurora Ave.
Naperville Fire Stations
- Fire Station No. 1: 964 E. Chicago Ave.
- Fire Station No. 2: 601 E. Bailey Rd.
- Fire Station No. 3: 1803 N. Washington St.
- Fire Station No. 4: 1971 Brookdale Rd.
- Fire Station No. 5: 2191 Plainfield-Naperville Rd.
- Fire Station No. 6: 2808 103rd St.
- Fire Station No.7: 1380 Aurora Ave.
- Fire Station No. 8: 1320 Modaff Rd.
- Fire Station No. 9: 1144 W. Ogden Ave.
- Fire Station No. 10: 3201 95th St.
For more information about Parentsmatter Too, click here.
