Tuesday, March 24, 2009
UNWANTED MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Each year, millions of Americans resolve to clean out their medicine cabinets. Medicines unsecured in the home can cause confusion and medication misuse, resulting in serious health implications for adults and children. The New Lenox Police Department is promoting the importance of safe prescription medication disposal in order to decrease the risk of drug catastrophes.
In addition to prescription medication misuse, prescription medication abuse among teens and young adults is a serious and increasing problem in the United States. The Partnership for a Drug Free America’s Annual Tracking Study recently found:
- 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication.
- 1 in 5 teens report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.
- 1 in 10 teens has abused cough medication.
Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses. However, taking them without a prescription to get high or “self medicate” can be as dangerous and addictive as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.
In the past, the advice has been to flush old and unused medications down the toilet or put them in the trash. Neither is a good method. Prescription drugs can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems and pass largely untouched through sewage treatment plants.
Unfortunately, scientists are finding traces of prescription medications in our streams, rivers and lakes. Furthermore, children and animals can get into drugs discarded in the trash and once in landfills, drugs can trickle into the groundwater. The Unwanted Prescription Medication Disposal Program will provide residents with an environmentally safe way of disposing of their unwanted medications.
The New Lenox Police Department has acquired a galvanized steel depository and collection storage unit as a repository for unwanted prescription medications. The acquisition of the unit was made possible though a generous donation from Walgreen’s Pharmacy. The unit is constructed of 16-gauge heavy steel, equipped with two frontal locking doors and removable totes for safe and easy collection.
The collection box has been placed at the New Lenox Police Department, 701 W. Haven Avenue. The unit is located on the exterior of the administrative offices and is available to residents 24-hours per day. Acceptable prescription and over-the-counter medications include pills, salves and liquid medications in original containers. Items not in original containers must be packaged in non-leaking containers. Unacceptable items include sharps, needles, IV bags, thermometers and medical waste.
The New Lenox Police Department will dispose of unwanted medications on a regular basis by transporting them to an approved location for safe disposal. For additional information regarding the program, contact Public Safety Division Chief Daniel Martin at (815) 462-6100.
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