Don’t flush meds down the toilet
IN THE CITY
by Dana Fowler
If you have unused or expired medications, there is a much better method of disposing of them than throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Keeping old medications around your home is not a good idea because the vast majority of poisonings that occur each year are due to the accidental ingestion of medications by children. Another reason to not keep old medications in your home is that those individuals that have a substance abuse problem could target your home looking for pharmaceuticals.
Many times old medications are flushed down the drain or the toilet. Studies have shown that drugs in our water are having negative impacts on aquatic life. Tossing them into the trash may not be the best idea either because they may be some cases where the old medications could be ingested by an animal.
So what should you do with old medications? There is a safe and convenient way to dispose of your unused and expired medications. You can take them to the police departments in Presque Isle, Caribou, or Houlton any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week all year long. If you live in another community, you can take your medications to one of those three communities or call your local police department.
This program is a “no questions asked” system that will keep old medications and drugs secure until they can be safely disposed of. Medications include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and animal medications.
On Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., there will be a special one-day nationwide effort by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to host a National Take-Back Day for unused and expired medications. The police departments in Presque Isle, Caribou, and Houlton will be participating in this event, which will bring a national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. You are encouraged to make this national event a success by participating on September 25th.
Keeping outdated and unwanted medications in your home poses a threat to you, your family, your pets, and the environment. Take advantage of this free program to ensure the safety and well being of your family and the environment.
Dana Fowler, P.E. is the solid waste director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be contacted at 760-2745 or via email at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.
