A plan to help more people safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs has passed the Illinois House, and is now before the state senate.
Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz of Glenview said many people don't know where they can safely dispose of old or leftover medication. She said some of those drugs wind up being abused by addicts.
"Studies have shown that 42 to 71% of prescribed opioids ultimately go unused by the patient, which means that the path to opioid addiction often starts in the home medicine cabinet," Gong-Gershowitz said.
She said some people flush prescription drugs down toilets, which contaminates water.
The program would include an education campaign to help people find places to turn in unused prescription medications safely. Drug companies would pay for the program.