The Kane County rally point designated by the Drug Enforcement Administration collected a total of 2,593.9 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs that are no longer in circulation for potential abuse, following the Sept. 27 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell announced Wednesday that the Prescription Drug Take Back Program was a huge success in Kane County and the Coroner’s Office brought 119 pounds to the Kane County rally point on Oct. 1.

Earlier this year, the Coroner’s Office became an official DEA collection site for disposal of prescription drugs. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office also launched a new partnership this year with the villages of Pingree Grove and Sugar Grove.

Proper prescription drug disposal is important because studies have shown that prescription drug abuse promotes heroin use and addiction. Many prescriptions, such as painkillers, have frequently been stolen from medicine cabinets of homes, because people who no longer need them are unaware of an outlet to get rid of them properly.

“There are some DEA prescription drop-off points in the county, but my goal is to promote this program heavily, and get as many sites as possible in the county,” Coroner Rob Russell said in a press release. “From the results, it’s apparent that the word is spreading and people are listening. That’s very positive.”

Russell said his office is available to accept prescription drugs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 719 S. Batavia Avenue/Building E, Geneva.

“We will accept any unwanted prescriptions, over the counter drugs, and any sharps (needles), from anywhere in the county,” Russell said.