Hospitals to distribute Narcan nasal spray at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events

Northwestern Medicine team members will distribute Narcan (naloxone) and provide education about opioid overdose prevention during National Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. Eight Northwestern Medicine locations will also offer drive-up locations where community members can safely dispose of unused medications.

 “We will distribute Narcan spray as another way to address the opioid crisis that is affecting communities throughout Illinois and across the country,” said Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine. “More than 75 percent of drug overdose deaths are related to opioids, and we must do all we can to educate community members. Narcan reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be lifesaving when it is given to a person in crisis.”

In addition to illegal and illicit opioids, unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue that can lead to potential accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose. Northwestern Medicine will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by hosting eight collection sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28. Community members can safely dispose of their unused medications at the drive-up locations.

“Studies show that many people who use opioids are first exposed to the prescription medications in the homes of family members of friends,” Elliott said. “National Dug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and prescription medications. If you throw unused medications in the trash, they can be retrieved and used, or illegally sold. If you flush them, they can contaminate the water supply.”

 According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as the second most-common form of drug use in America.

 “DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is not possible without our many law enforcement partners and healthcare providers like Northwestern Medicine,” said Sheila G. Lyons, special agent in charge of the DEA Chicago Division. “The vast amounts of unwanted prescription drugs collected on Take Back Day reflect our shared commitment to the safety and health our communities.”

 The eight Northwestern Medicine drive-up collection sites are located at:

·       Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles (on the east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles

·       Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 North Main Street, Sandwich

·       Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb

·       Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, East Entrance Roundabout, 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield

·       Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, 6300 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest

·       Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, Hospital Main Entrance, 10400 Hailgus Road, Huntley

·       Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital (use main entrance driveway, take first right, west side of hospital), 12251 South 80^th Avenue, Palos Heights

·       Northwestern Medicine Lavin Family Pavilion, 259 East Erie Street, Chicago