Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce a partnership with the Minneapolis, Minnesota based company Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., the creator of the Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System.  As part of the Will County Sheriff’s Office drug prevention initiatives to help combat the opioid epidemic, the Will County Sheriff’s Office will be providing residents of Will County, pouches of the Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System.  These pouches will be made available on request, and be available at numerous Will County Sheriff’s Office sponsored functions.   

These pouches will complement the already existing programs and partnerships that the Will County Sheriff’s Office utilizes such as the DEA Drug Take Back Day, Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition sponsored events, and the Will County Sheriff’s Office Prescription Drop Box.  The prescription drop box is located inside of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex, at 16911 W. Laraway Road in Joliet, Illinois. 

“Not everyone can come into the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex to drop off their unwanted prescription medications between 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, into the drug collection box located in the first floor lobby.  The Will County Sheriff’s Office wants to give residents other options to dispose of these unwanted medications properly”, said Sheriff Kelley.     

The environmentally friendly, Deterra pouches will allow individuals to safely and permanently, deactivated prescription medication from the comfort of their home.  Deterra is the only independently tested and scientifically proven drug disposal system that permanently deactivates all organic medications, including opioids in all forms.  These forms of medications include pills, patches, liquids, creams, and films. 

Each Deterra pouch will deactivate up to 45 pills or 6 ounces of liquid medication, or up to 6 prescription patches and it is easy to do.  Simply, tear open the pouch, and placed the unused or unwanted medications inside of the bag.  Next, fill the pouch halfway with warm water and wait for about 30 seconds.  Finally, seal the pouch tightly, gently shake the pouch, and dispose the bag in your normal trash can.

If you would like to receive Deterra pouches for use, please send an e-mail to deterra@willcosheriff.org to request pouches.  If you would like more information on the Deterra Drug Deactivation System, please visit their website at https://deterrasystem.com.