BUNKER HILL – Macoupin County residents will be able to dispose of unwanted medications during a drug takeback event at four locations throughout the county on Saturday, April 29.
With opioid, heroin and prescription drug abuse on the rise throughout Illinois, including in rural areas like Macoupin County, it is important that people responsibly dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, public health and law enforcement authorities warn.
The Macoupin County drug takeback is scheduled for 9 a.m. until noon on April 29. It will occur simultaneously at four locations throughout the county:
Sullivan’s Pharmacy, 101 E. Main St., Staunton
Michelle’s Pharmacy, 494 West Side Square, Carlinville
Michelle’s Pharmacy, 120 S. Macoupin St., Gillespie
Michelle’s Pharmacy, 809 S. Franklin St., Bunker Hill
The event is free and open to the public. Area residents are welcome to drop off unwanted medications at any of the four sites. Items that will be accepted include:
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs from individuals and households
Schedule II-V controlled drugs
Prescription waste
Transdermal patches
Liquids and ointments
Items containing sodium bicarbonate or effervescent compounds that must be dissolved first with water
Items that will not be accepted:
Hazardous materials
Hazardous pharmaceuticals
Medical waste / infectious waste
Sharps, needles, syringes
Drugs or waste from hospitals and health facilities
Radioactive items
Ignitable materials
Aerosols
Studies show that most teenagers who abuse prescription drugs get them from home medicine cabinets. Prescription drug addiction leads to increased heroin use.
The drug takeback event is being organized by Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill with the help of Michelle’s Pharmacy and Sullivan’s Pharmacy. Co-sponsors include Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl; Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jennifer Watson; the Macoupin County Public Health Department; the Bunker Hill, Carlinville, Gillespie and Staunton police departments; and the Macoupin County Anti-Meth Coalition.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has designated April 29, 2017, as National Prescription Drug Takeback Day in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of disposing of unwanted prescription medication and educating people about prescription drug abuse.
Heritage Health Gillespie announces it has changed ownership. Renamed Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, the 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility provides a broad spectrum of care, including long- and short-term care and rehabilitation, in an intimate and compassionate environment.
The new ownership team is a group of individuals who are skilled nursing facility managers and operators based in Illinois. The ownership change was effective July 1, 2023, and Heritage Health was the seller.
“In these challenging times, it is very reassuring that our new ownership team has years of know-how, shared values and a great group of experienced experts – based right here in Illinois – to support our care team,” said Kim Schardan, the facility’s CEO/administrator.
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, at 7588 Staunton Rd., in Gillespie, Ill., will benefit from the hands-on attention that comes from a smaller, but very skilled “non-corporate” ownership and management team. The team has overseen operations at similar-sized care centers, in rural and suburban communities in Illinois and the Midwest, and brings many new ideas that have been very successful at other facilities.
“Our new owners view Gillespie Health & Rehab Center as a world of family and friends,” said Schardan. “They share core principles and standards that reflect the people and beliefs of our region: Genuine Hometown Care, Community Integration, and Employees are Family.”
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is known for its focus on providing hometown care with a commitment to fully integrating with the healthcare needs of the Gillespie, Ill., community. As it continues to grow, the center will benefit from working with a skilled, hands-on regional ownership team.
“The ownership group has significant experience in overseeing operations at similar-sized care centers in rural and suburban communities,” Schardan noted. “We anticipate incorporating new ideas that have been successful at their other facilities as we work to advance our mission of excellence in care.”
About Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
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Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is a 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility in Gillespie, Ill., and offers long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact (217) 839-2171 or visit the Gillespie Health & Rehab Center website at www.gillespiehrc.com.
Enjoy a spring buffet at JoDanni’s Amore on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. The buffet will include pork chops, chicken spiedini, house salad, garlic rolls, scalloped potato, pasta con broccoli, vegetable medley, drink, and key lime cupcake for dessert.
The price for a ticket is $25. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, March 30.
For tickets, contact Catherine Young at 217-825-8488 or Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456. The meal is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
Great joy took place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, as members of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie witnessed and celebrated six young people being baptized and/or confirmed at the 10:30 a.m. church service.
The students professed their faith in Jesus and became members of the church.
The new members include Clayton Bethard, Izzy Manus, Lydia Lowry, Makenna Martin, Marshall Garwood, and Wyatt Rondi.