Safely dispose of prescription drugs & access Narcan on National Drug Take Back Day – Northwestern Medicine Newsroom

Report on Northwestern Medicine’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals through National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Executive Summary

On October 25, 2025, Northwestern Medicine will participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by hosting ten drive-up collection sites. This initiative provides a secure method for the disposal of unused medications, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program primarily targets SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by preventing substance misuse and overdose deaths. It also contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by preventing pharmaceutical contamination of the environment. Furthermore, by making communities safer, the initiative aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Initiative Overview: Public Health and Environmental Stewardship

Program Objectives and SDG Alignment

The primary objective of the Prescription Drug Take Back Day is to mitigate public safety risks associated with unused medications, such as accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. This effort is a direct contribution to achieving SDG Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. As stated by Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine, many individuals are first exposed to opioids through medications found in homes. Removing these drugs from circulation is a critical preventative health measure. Concurrently, the program promotes environmental health by ensuring medications are disposed of properly, preventing their entry into water systems and landfills, thereby supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Operational Details

The drive-up collection event will be held on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ten designated Northwestern Medicine locations. In addition to medication collection, the initiative will include the distribution of Narcan (naloxone) and educational materials on opioid overdose prevention, further reinforcing its commitment to SDG 3.

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Combating Substance Misuse

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identifies the nonmedical use of prescription drugs as the second most common form of drug misuse in the United States. By providing a safe disposal option, Northwestern Medicine’s program actively reduces the availability of these substances, directly addressing a significant public health challenge and contributing to the well-being of the community.

Expanding Access to Overdose Reversal Medication

To further combat the opioid crisis and reduce mortality rates, Northwestern Medicine has installed Narcan kiosks at seven locations, offering free access to the life-saving medication. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose, and increasing its availability is a critical strategy for saving lives. This action aligns with SDG 3’s goal of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.

Implementation and Community Access Points

Drive-Up Collection Site Locations

• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles (east side of parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 North Main Street, Sandwich
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (east entrance roundabout), 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield
• Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, 600 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest
• Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, 4201 West Medical Center Drive, McHenry
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital (main entrance driveway, first right, west side of hospital), 12251 South 80th Avenue, Palos Heights
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital Lavin Family Pavilion, 259 East Erie Street, Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Old Irving Park Advanced Outpatient Center Patient Drop-off Area (inside attached parking garage), 4445 West Irving Park Road, Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital Main Entrance, 10400 Haligus Road, Huntley

Naloxone (Narcan) Kiosk Locations

• Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center, 12 Health Services Drive, DeKalb (open daily 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center – Community Support Program, 631 South 1st Street, DeKalb (open daily 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Emergency Department Lobby, 4201 Medical Center Drive, McHenry (available 24/7)
• Northwestern Medicine Orland Park Behavioral Health Services, 15300 West Avenue, Suite 313, Building C, Orland Park (Mon/Wed/Fri 8:45 a.m.–9 p.m.; Tues/Thurs 8:45 a.m.–3:40 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health Services, 760 Foxpointe Drive, Sycamore (Mon–Wed 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Thurs/Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital, Emergency Department Lobby, 701 Doty Road, Woodstock (available 24/7)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues that are directly connected to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is central to the article. The initiative described, “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” directly aims to improve public health and safety by preventing prescription drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and overdose. The article states, “Unused or expired prescription medications pose a public safety risk and can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or overdose.” Furthermore, the distribution of Narcan (naloxone) is a direct intervention to combat the opioid crisis and save lives, which aligns with ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the article’s emphasis on the proper disposal of medications. The initiative provides a “safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications.” Dr. Sterling Elliott is quoted saying, “Proper disposal helps protect our communities and environment.” This highlights the need for environmentally sound management of chemical waste (expired pharmaceuticals) to prevent contamination and negative environmental impacts, which is a core component of responsible consumption and production patterns.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

  The entire initiative is a preventative measure against substance abuse. The article explains that the goal of the “Take Back Day” is to “remove these drugs from circulation and prevent misuse.” It also notes that “nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the second most common form of drug misuse in the United States.” The distribution of Narcan and information about opioid overdose prevention directly supports the treatment aspect of this target by providing an emergency response to narcotic drug abuse.

• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

  The program’s focus on providing a “safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications” is a direct action towards achieving the environmentally sound management of chemical waste. By collecting these drugs, the program prevents them from being flushed down toilets or thrown in landfills, which could lead to water and soil contamination. The article explicitly links this to environmental protection by stating, “Proper disposal helps protect our communities and environment.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for Target 3.5 (Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse):

  • Number of drug take-back collection sites established: The article explicitly states that “Ten Northwestern Medicine sites will offer drive-up collection locations.” This number serves as a direct indicator of the scale of the prevention effort.
  • Availability of overdose-reversal medication: The article mentions that “Narcan kiosks are now available at seven Northwestern Medicine locations” and that team members will “distribute Narcan.” The number of distribution points and the amount of Narcan distributed are clear indicators of treatment and harm reduction efforts.
  • Public awareness and education campaigns: The article notes that team members will “share information about opioid overdose prevention.” The implementation and reach of such campaigns are an indicator of prevention efforts.

• Indicators for Target 12.4 (Environmentally sound management of chemical waste):

  • Implementation of hazardous waste collection programs: The “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” event itself is an indicator of a program designed for the safe collection of chemical waste (pharmaceuticals). The article lists ten specific locations where this service is provided.
  • Quantity of unused medications collected: While the article does not provide a figure, the primary goal of the event is to collect these medications. The total weight or volume of drugs collected would be a key performance indicator for the success of this environmentally sound disposal initiative.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.nm.org