By Bethany Zell
I have been flushing medications for as long as I can remember, either down the drain with water and a garbage disposal or in the toilet. In fact, the direct care residential treatment facility that I worked at for three years held the garbage disposal as the standard method for getting rid of unused pharmaceuticals, too. Imagine my surprise when, upon recently attending a training on safe storage and disposal, I was informed that we are not to flush medications because of the increasing rates of trace pharmaceuticals detected in the drinking water supplies around the world.
In 2011, 20,578,961 prescriptions were filled in Maine retail pharmacies. It is estimated that 40 percent of these prescription go unused. If other people are misinformed like I once was and flush these unused medications down the toilet or sink, it can result in water pollution, impact drinking water and have adverse effects on septic systems, fish and aquatic life!
Thankfully, Maine is leading the way in safe disposal initiatives. During the National Prescription Take Back Day event held on April 27, over 22,000 pounds of unused medications were returned in the state of Maine. Maine’s “Safe Medicine Disposal for ME” prescription mail-in return pilot program collected 8,000 pounds during its four years of implementation.
What many Aroostook County residents don’t know is that all of our Aroostook County police departments offer 24/7 prescription takeback. You don’t need to wait until a National Take-Back Day, and you shouldn’t. Having unused medications lying around just increases the potential for diversion (use for recreational purposes or by someone other than the prescribed patient) or theft.
So what should you do if taking back your medications at a police department is not an option? Whatever you do, don’t flush! Follow these steps for safe disposal that won’t contaminate our environment:
• Remove and destroy the prescription label.
• For pills: Add a small amount of liquid and soap to begin the dissolving process. Shake to mix.
• For liquids and once liquid and soap are added to pills: Add cat litter or coffee grounds to discourage anyone from consuming and mix.
• Tape container shut with packing or duct tape.
• Place inside a non-transparent container or bag to conceal.
• Discard the container in your trash.
Although not the preferred method of disposal, following these steps will help prevent pharmaceuticals from entering the environment, reduce diversion and substance abuse, and decrease the availability of prescription medications. Let’s work together to keep Aroostook County clean … in more ways than one!
Bethany Zell is the prevention coordinator for Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention. She can be contacted at 551-4284 or via e-mail at bethany@asapcoalition.com. Or visit www.asapcoalition.com.
