Don't flush your old prescription drugs
Those who flush their old prescription drugs down the toilet may think they're safely disposing of the drugs. But studies show the pills end up in area waterways and in our drinking water.
That means fish -- and humans -- are getting antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants, pain relievers and goodness knows what else in their systems that they don't know about.The Carroll County government is among the few area jurisdictions that plans on collecting the drugs for proper disposal. A quick check didn't reveal any Baltimore area government collection sites but Montgomery and Prince George's seem to hold at least periodic collections.
The government is among the few area jurisdictions that plans on collecting the drugs for proper disposal. A quick check didn't reveal any Baltimore area government collection sites but Montgomery and Prince George's seem to hold at least periodic collections.For information on where to drop your expired or unwanted drugs in Carroll, beginning Oct. 24, click here.
The reason many other jurisdictions do not collect the drugs is probably because law enforcement must be on site. A county, for example, can just decide to allow the drugs to go right into the recycle bin.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy offers these tips below for those who can't find a place to take back the old drugs that can't be flushed.
Take the drugs out of the original containers. Mix the drugs with an undesirable substance such as cat liter or used coffee grounds. Put the mixture in a disposable container with a lid, such as an old margarine tub, or into a sealable bag. Conceal or remove any personal information, including the Rx number on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off. Place the sealed container with the mixture and the empty drug containers in the trash.
The Food and Drug Administration has a list of drugs that it recommends be flushed here. And here's a number in case you have questions: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).
Associated Press file photo
Comments
Most drugs can be safely incinerated. When the items are in bulk (from a recall situation or lot distruction) it is a very easy solution. However, the main problem is the reams of paperwork required for someone to actually fill a drum of hundreds of different drugs to get disposed of. There was talk of CVS making a national dropoff, but then nothing...
Posted by: Herbert | October 20, 2009 9:27 AM