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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.

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.

Media contacts

Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Public Affairs Office

Phone:

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