National Prescription Drug Disposal Day

Saturday, September 25, 2010 the Drug Enforcement Administration is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies nationwide for what they are calling the "National Take-Back Initiative". From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm anyone can take prescription drugs that are expired or unwanted to a drop-off location for safe disposal. With the continued rise in prescription drug abuse, law enforcement is hoping this nationwide initiative will bring focus to the nations fastest growing drug problem.

Details on what prescription drugs are accepted:

• The program is anonymous (no questions asked)
• Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications (tablets, capsules, etc) will be accepted
• Intra-venous (IV) solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not part of this initiative

CLICK HERE to find a drop-off location near you. Often we are prescribed medication and we don't use all of it. Many of us don't know what to do with it so we leave it in our medicine cabinet. This is a very dangerous practice. Many homes are being broken into by people searching for prescription pain meds or other prescription drugs. Other serious potential hazards include teenagers in your home finding and using the drugs, sharing them with friends (possibly at pharm parties), or trying to sell drugs to their friends.

Many people keep the prescription drugs because they simply don't know how to dispose of them. Flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away can both cause potential health and safety issues. Prescription drugs being flushed down the toilets or down the sink just puts the medication into the local water supply. Recent studies show that the medication is not being removed from the water supply. Throwing the drugs away may be an option, but there are a number of risks associate with this as well. Someone may find the drugs in the trash and use them or sell them. Pets may accidentally ingest the drugs if they get in the trash. If the drugs do eventually end up in a landfill then we have to worry about how much of it is going into the ground and possibly getting back into the water supply.

The best, and safest, way to dispose of your unwanted and unused prescription or over-the-counter medication is to take it to a "Take-back" drug disposal site. Saturday, September 25th, 2010 there will be more than 2,000 locations nationwide accepting drugs, but many communities offer ongoing drug disposal locations. Check with your local city officials to find out the best way to dispose of your prescription drugs safely.