Safe expired prescription disposal offered at Springfield event

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A drug take back event was held in Springfield for national prescription drug take back day on Saturday.

The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office and State Representative Mike Coffey teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host the event.

The DEA and its partners collected tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

"Unused or expired medications are a hidden danger in many homes," said Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch. "By taking part in events like this, we are helping prevent misuse and accidental ingestion."

The event went from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at KC Hall in Springfield.

Coffey said the event had a great turnout, and it is important to get rid of the expired drugs before they can become a danger.

"It's been really overwhelming how many people have come back, so we've taken a lot of drugs off the street, making everything safer," Coffey said. "The best way to do it is bring them to one of these drop offs and let the DEA dispose of them in the proper way."