WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick announced the sheriff's office will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back day on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents will be able to drop off any expired, unused or unneeded prescription medications at local collection sites including the Williamson County Administrative Complex at 407 North Monroe Street in Marion.

Vicks says agents with the federal Drug Administration will pick up the medication for destruction in an environmentally acceptable way.

He says this a free and completely anonymous service. There will be "Sharps" containers available to dispose of needles and syringes.

This is a nationwide event, with local law enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration partnering to host collection sites across the nation.

HERRIN, IL (KFVS) – State Representative John Bradley and the Arthritis Foundation will host a community forum to discuss the rising co-insurance costs for some specialty medications.

There are several “tiers” for prescription drugs. They’re often labled “generic,” “preferred,” and “non-preferred.” The prescription drug usually has a predetermined cost associated with the tier it falls under. Now, several health plans have instituted a fourth tier or the “specialty tier.”

According to a release from John Bradley, many health plans require the patient to pay a percentage of the cost of the most expensive medications that fall under the “specialty tier.”

A forum called “Navigating the Health System & Managing Your Co-Insurance” will focus on navigating the health system to maintain access to medications that patients need.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Health says Wednesday, September 28 is World Rabies Day, a global campaign to spread the word about rabies prevention.

The theme this year is "Working Together to Make Rabies History." It was founded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alliance for Rabies Control to bring people from around the world together.

“Rabies can be prevented through increased awareness and education about the disease, as well as pet vaccinations,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold. “Preventing and controlling rabies starts at the community level.  World Rabies Day is an excellent time to talk with a veterinarian about pet vaccinations and learn what animals typically transmit rabies and how to avoid them.”

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals.