Champaign-Urbana collects 13,000 pounds of unwanted medicine

Posted August 31st, 2017 in Healthy Waters

Too much of a good thing wore out the old medicine take-back box at the Urbana Police Department, so it recently received an upgrade.

“People come in here all the time and fill this thing up,” said Lieutenant Robert Fitzgerald. “The old one would fill up twice a week. It would just get packed.”

Since the department installed the box in 2013 as part of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and University of Illinois Extension’s medicine take-back program, it’s only grown in popularity. This box’s new style still resembles a mailbox, but a new locking feature prevents people from forcing pharmaceuticals into an already full box. Nobody will walk off with this one either. It’s bolted to the ground.

Medicine take-back programs help prevent these chemicals from being flushed or thrown in the trash, potentially contaminating local waterways. Taking in unwanted medicines is a public safety issue too.

“If we can take it here in this box, it means they’re not in somebody’s grasp at home—toddlers take anything they can grab,” said Amy Anderson, Urbana animal control officer/community liaison, who manages the box.

The police department, along with more than 50 locations in four states—including one in Champaign and one at the university—are designated to accept prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including veterinary pharmaceuticals, but not illicit drugs, syringes, needles or thermometers. IISG provides each location with the drug collection box and works with community partners to ensure the program’s success. All collected drugs are incinerated—the environmentally preferred disposal method.

The Champaign and Urbana medicine take-back programs started in 2013 and have collected more than 13,000 pounds of medicine. The IISG take-back program as a whole, which was established in 2007, has collected more than 58 tons. In addition, Sea Grant has helped collect over 30 tons just from helping out in single-day events throughout the Great Lakes region.

Amy Anderson, Urbana animal control officer/community liaison, (left) and Lieutenant Robert Fitzgerald pose with the new medicine take-back box in the lobby of the Urbana Police Department.

“The partnership we have with the Urbana Police Department, Champaign Police Department, and University of Illinois Police Department is so valuable,” said Sarah Zack, IISG pollution prevention extension specialist. “They do a great public service by operating this take-back program, and I hope that people can take advantage of the convenient drop-off locations in the C-U area.”

Be sure to visit unwantedmeds.org to find your local take-back location.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Purdue University Extension.

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Summer of Great Lakes Learning!

This summer, we empowered educators with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to bring Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms! 🌊

✅ We dove into aquatic invasive species with the Chicago Park District Fishing Program
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Summer of Great Lakes Learning! This summer, we empowered educators with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence to bring Great Lakes literacy into their classrooms! 🌊 ✅ We dove into aquatic invasive species with the Chicago Park District Fishing Program✅ Explored Lake Michigan aboard Lake Guardian Resreach vessel through the Shipboard Science Immersion✅ Investigated remediation and restoration in the Grand Calumet Area of Concern, and launched our new Grand Calumet VR curriculum✅ Partnered at Indiana Dunes to lead a Project WET workshop with a Great Lakes focusFrom shoreline to shipboard, these workshops connected educators to the science, stewardship, and stories of the Great Lakes. #GreatLakesLiteracy #TeachingTuesday

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💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.

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🌊 Making Waves in Education Calling all K–12 educators — formal and non-formal! Stay connected to the Great Lakes and inspired in your teaching with our educator-focused newsletter.📬 Why Subscribe?✅ Discover teaching resources and professional development opportunities ✅ Connect with Sea Grant partners and community efforts✅ Bring Great Lakes science and stewardship into your classroom or program🗓️ Published quarterly — with occasional bonus issues when exciting events or new content arise!💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.👉 Sign up now: https://iiseagrant.org/education/subscribe-to-education-newsletter/ #TeachingTuesday#GreatLakesEducation

When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.

To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or
InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18519504694041949
When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community
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