This Saturday, October 26th, is another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. These successful programs, coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), give the public a safe way to rid their medicine cabinets of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
I have previously written about the safety factors associated with misguided drug disposal. Many do not think twice about the consequences of tossing pills in the trash or down the toilet. Medications that end up in landfill or waterways are dangerous and can contaminate our water. These free events are aimed to keep drugs out of landfills and watersheds. And by eliminating old medications in this manner, pill abuse and theft can also be minimized.
To find a nearby collection site, visit www.dea.gov and click on the “Got Drugs: National Prescription Take-Back Day” banner. Medications should be kept in their original containers with labels intact.
Please do not wait until you have a headache to check for unwanted medications. I urge you to participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to help your community, environment, and our most precious resource – water!