DEA Take Back Day

DEA Take Back Day Returns to Bourbonnais October 25 East Parking Lot at Northfield Square Mall to Host Local Drop-Off Event

Bourbonnais, IL – Residents of Kankakee County will once again have the chance to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications during the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A local drive-thru collection site will be set up at Northfield Square Mall in the east parking lot. The event is free and anonymous, giving community members a convenient way to prevent prescription drugs from being misused, stolen, or improperly discarded.

Accepted items include prescription tablets, capsules, and patches. Items not accepted include sharps (needles and syringes), inhalers, and certain liquids. Organizers ask that participants remove or black out personal information from prescription labels before drop-off. Additionally, the Bradley Lion's Club will also be collecting donations of used eyeglasses for individuals in need, and Georgie's Closet will be accepting packages of diapers for families in need.

The annual Take Back initiative is coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in partnership with the Life Education Center, I-KAN Regional Office of Education, Kankakee County Health Department, Riverside Healthcare, State Representative Jackie Hass, KAMEG (Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group), and local police departments from Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley and Manteno.

“Clearing out old medications keeps them out of the wrong hands and out of our water systems,” said Lori Mollema, Director of Life Education Center Programs. “This event gives families a safe, simple way to protect both loved ones and the environment.”

Since its launch in 2010, DEA Take Back events have collected more than 19 million pounds of medications nationwide. Locally, hundreds of pounds are collected each year through the Bourbonnais event.

For those unable to attend, permanent drop boxes are available year-round at the Bourbonnais Police Department (700 Main Street NW) and the Bradley Police Department (147 S. Michigan Avenue).

For more information or to find additional collection sites, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday or www.pledgeforlife.org .

*Thank you to Milner Media Partners, LLC for helping promote this event.