Non-Veterans can safely dispose of prescription medications at Chicago-area VA Medical Centers on Oct. 29
PRESS RELEASE
October 25, 2022
Chicago , IL — Chicago-area residents, including non-Veterans, can dispose of expired or unused prescription medications at all three area Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers on Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drop-off locations vary at each facility. They are:
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Drop-off location: Main Outpatient Pharmacy
3001 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
Drop-off locations: Main Entrance, Bldg. 1 F lobby, In-patient Pharmacy, Bldg. 217 lobby
5000 S. 5th Ave, Hines, IL 60141
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago
Drop-off locations: Facility entrances at Ogden Avenue and Damen Avenue
820 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
All drop-off locations have anonymous, secure boxes for safe drug disposal.
The events are part of VA Take Back Day and will take place at VA facilities across the country. VA is aligning with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to welcome non-Veterans to its health facilities to safely dispose of medications.
This action is the result of legislation signed into law by President 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.
Non-Veterans 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 their facility's secured drop-off location.
The next VA Take Back Day will be in April 2023.
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Public Affairs Office
708-202-5627