According to Prairie Rivers Network, improper disposal of pharmaceuticals concerns all of us.  This includes medical consumers, healthcare providers, parents, municipalities, pharmacists, law enforcement, and environmentalists.

Cecil Smith, PRN's Policy and Outreach Specialist, writes that "Pharmaceuticals in our waters are dangerous for the fish and other wildlife living in our rivers and streams. Knowing this, Illinois residents want to take steps to properly dispose of their unwanted and unused medications; unfortunately, outside of the Chicago metro area, a limited number of residents have access to permanent pharmaceutical collection facilities. We need your help to change this."

They report that pharmacies are critical partners in efforts to create convenient and consistent collection programs. And that, at this time, only a few independent pharmacies in Illinois have take-back programs at their stores; however, these collection sites are used frequently by their customers and other community members.  They want to address this by collecting 50,000 signatures on a petition to provide needed disposal options by March 15.

Prairie Rivers Network wants citizens to help them send a clear message to pharmacists that they must be actively involved in providing Illinois residents locally convenient, secure and permanent disposal options for their unwanted and unused medicines.

Find out more: www.prairierivers.org
Sign their petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/protect-Illinois-rivers