FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 2, 2009

Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022

Caroline Roth
630/407-6033

FUNDING FOR DU PAGE RX BOXES WILL CONTINUE

DU PAGE COUNTY -- DuPage County Board Member Jeff Redick (District 2) announced this week that funding for the DuPage Rx Drop Box Program, which provides residents with the means to properly and safely dispose of prescription medicines, will continue and that the program will remain active.  Despite concerns that the program was facing budget, the Drop Box initiative will be maintained throughout Illinois in 2010.

"Providing residents with a safe place to dispose of their old and unused prescription medicines prevents prescription drug abuse and provides protection from pharmaceutical threats to water supplies or waterways," said Redick, Chairman of the County's Environmental Committee.  "I am very pleased that our legislators in Springfield saw how important it is to keep this initiative up and running."

According to a press release issued by the State of Illinois dated May 2, 2008, one in five teens had reported "abusing prescription medications to get high." The abuse of prescription drugs increases demands on the police, courts and health providers.

"The Drop Box program is the type of cooperative effort that promotes common sense efficiencies in government and real protection to our communities," said Redick.  "It is a great relief that even in the face of state-wide budgetary crisis, these funds have not been put at risk and important programs like this are continued."

The Rx Drop Box program was launched in May 2009 as an inter-governmental effort to fight the improper disposal of prescription drugs.  The program is a collaborative effort between DuPage County, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, the DuPage County Health Department and over twelve municipal partners.

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