Do you have unused or expired medication?
Turn in your unused or expired medication on October 26, 2013 – 10AM to 2PM
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
To find a location near you go to: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov
Why is disposal of unused or expired medications important?
If you are a caregiver or relative caring for an older adult you may have been faced with helping clean out a medicine cabinet. Seniors sometimes get confused and could easily take a wrong medication, which could lead to a fall or serious health issue. While removing these medications is a worthwhile project people don’t always dispose of the medication safely.
Whatever you do, don’t flush the medications. Why?
Drugs that are flushed become part of the water supply and environment through a natural leeching process. Not only can these substances impact the water supply but they can also impact fish and other animals. Flushing is a bad idea but so is throwing medications in the trash. By throwing them in the trash, you increase the chance that they can get into the wrong hands, whether it is a young child a pet or a drug abuser.
So what do you do if you have medications to dispose of but miss the PrescriptionTake Back Day?
If you miss the Take Back Day there are simple and safe ways to dispose of your medications. The EPA has developed a flyer with easy to follow guidelines for household disposal. These guidelines ensure safety and protect the environment.
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/upload/ppcpflyer.pdf
Proper disposal of drugs can prevent the damaging the environment and keep them out of the wrong hands. Take the time to find an event in your area or follow the EPA guidelines for safe disposal.
If you have an aging parent in the Denver, Colorado metro area who is having trouble managing medications and navigating the healthcare system ReAssured Advocacy can help. Call us today at 303-756-8436.
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