Don't Flush Your Drugs

Until recently, consumers have been told to flush unwanted drugs. With technological advances and research, low levels of drugs are being found in our surface waters. We know that some drugs pass largely unaltered through our wastewater treatment plants and enter rivers and other waters. Drugs from heath care facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, and farms can also find their way into the water.

Click here to download the poster at left to post at your home or office. The 4th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (Pharamaceutical collection sites) is April 28, 2012. Click here to find a location near you.

 

Although the health and environmental consequences are still being studied, we do know that:

  • Flushed medications have been found our lakes, rivers and streams
    A nationwide study conducted in 1999 and 2000 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.
  • Fish and other aquatic wildlife are being adversely affected
    Studies have shown that male fish have been feminized (produced eggs) when exposed to hormones (birth control pills). Other drugs, such as anti-depressants and beta-blockers, reduce fertility or affect spawning in certain aquatic organisms. Even expired medications can cause these effects.
  • Drug-resistant bacteria might develop
    Long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics might result in the evolution of, or selection for, drug-resistant microbes and bacteria.

 

Safe Drug Disposal Options

Where available, the best option is to take your medications to a local collection site.

See this schedule of pharmaceutical collection events in New York State.

While waiting for a collection, keep all medications in a safe, secure place in your home, out of reach of children. Note: most household hazardous waste collections will not accept pharmaceuticals.

Important information regarding controlled substances:
To guard against unauthorized use of controlled substance medications, the NYS Department of Health must approve events that collect these substances. Before you take controlled substances to a collection event, check with the event organizers to see if they are authorized to accept them.

 

If a pharmaceutical collection is not available, follow these steps to dispose of drugs in the trash:

  • Treat medications (liquids and pills) by adding water and then salt, ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another undesirable substance, to avoid accidental or intentional misuse of the drugs. Do not conceal discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by scavenging humans, pets or wildlife.
  • Hide all medications in an outer container, such as a sealable bag, box or plastic tub to prevent discovery and removal from the trash. Seal the container with strong tape.
  • Dispose of drugs as close to your trash collection day as possible to avoid misuse and/or misdirection.

Note: Be careful in handling medications. Some drugs can cause harm if handled by people other than those to whom they were prescribed. Also, avoid crushing pills as some medications can be harmful in powder form.

Medications self-administered by injection with a needle or "sharp" may be disposed of in the trash. If such medications include an attached needle, they should be placed in a puncture proof container, sealed with tape and labeled as "sharps." However, the state strongly recommends that medications with attached needles be disposed of at hospital-based household sharps collection programs. All hospitals in New York State (except for federal facilities) are required to collect sharps from households.

Additional Resources and Links:

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