The Joliet Fire Department and State Rep. Natalie Manley announced a partnership to provide free drug deactivation and disposal kits to the public in an effort to combat the opioid epidemic.

The pilot program would supply the kits, which safely destroy unwanted and expired medications, at 12 locations in Joliet.

“Unused prescription drugs can significantly contribute to the opioid epidemic, creating opportunities for misuse,” Manley, D-Joliet, said in a statement. “Providing a safe and effective way to dispose of unwanted and expired medications is a simple step to combat this crisis.”

Deterra Drug Deactivation Kits break down prescription and over-the-counter medicines such as pills, patches, liquids, creams and films, making them inactive when water is added.

The pilot program was implemented with assistance from the Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, according to the release.

The Joliet Fire Department volunteered to serve as the first distribution agency for the kits, which will be available at front desks of Joliet City Hall, both Joliet Police Department stations and at nine JFD stations in the city.

“We’re proud to be making this life-saving resource available to residents,” Joliet Fire Department Chief Greg Blaskey said in a statement. “Opioid addiction impacts every community, and these kits will help ensure that unused medications do not reenter circulation.”

More than 100,000 people died of a drug overdose in the U.S. between April 2020 and April 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A Will County official also recently reported that opioid overdose deaths have increased about 20% so far in 2021 locally compared to the same period last year, largely due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Battling opioid abuse remains an ongoing priority and I urge the public to use these kits to dispose of unwanted medications,” Bertino-Tarrant said in a statement.

The kits are available at the following locations:

• Joliet City Hall at 150 W. Jefferson St.

• Joliet Police Department Main Station at 150 W. Washington St.

• Joliet Police Department West Sub Station at 7196 Caton Farm Road

• JFD Station #1 at 101 E. Clinton St.

• JFD Station #3 at 450 Laraway Road

• JFD Station #4 at 868 N. Draper Ave.

• JFD Station #5 at 661 Mason Ave.

• JFD Station #6 at 2049 Oneida St.

• JFD Station #7 at 125 Houbolt Road

• JFD Station #8 at 2293 Essington Road

• JFD Station #9 at 2300 Michas Drive

• JFD Station #10 at 1599 at John D. Paige Drive

Those with questions can call Manley’s office at 815-725-2741.