JANESVILLE — Having a way to dispose of prescription drugs safely is no longer just a convenience or a favor to the environment.
Many common prescription medications can be the first step to a heroin addiction, according to a news release from the Janesville Police Department and Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
“Because the misuse of prescription medication may lead to the use of more dangerous drugs, it is important that unused or expired medications be disposed of properly,” according to the news release
Drugs such as OxyContin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, Percocet, Darvocet, Vicodin and Lortab have all been linked to opiate addiction.
Prescription drugs have become so expensive on the illicit market that heroin often becomes a cheaper substitute for many local drug users, according to sources quoted in a series on local heroin abuse that begins in Sunday’s Janesville Gazette.
So drugs left in grandpa’s or mom’s medicine cabinets can lead to addiction and death.
“The city of Janesville and surrounding areas have seen a recent and significant increase in the use of heroin,” according to the news release. “Area police officers and emergency medical service providers have responded to an alarming number of drug overdoses involving the use of heroin, several resulting in the death of the user.”
Drug drop-off
The Rock County Health Department, in partnership with the cities of Beloit, Edgerton and Janesville, will host prescription drug drop-off sites from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Locations will be:
-- Beloit—Department of Public Works, 2351 Springbrook Court
-- Edgerton—Edgerton City Garage, 315 W. High St
-- Janesville—Janesville Water Utility, 123 E. Delavan Drive
These free, drive-through sites will accept prescription and non-prescription medications. Radioactive materials, chemotherapy medications, and sharps/needles cannot be accepted.