2010 Medication Disposal
Cumberland and Perry Counties are joining together to offer their residents an unwanted and expired medication collection and disposal event on Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Current common medication disposal practices, such as flushing down the drain or toilet, are an emerging issue as studies continue to show trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in drinking water supplies across the country. While the comprehensive risks are still unclear, researchers are finding evidence that even extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceutical residues harm fish, frogs, and other aquatic species in the wild and impair the workings of human cells in the laboratory.
Abuse, most notably by teenagers and young adults, of prescription medications commonly found in homes is also an emerging issue. Removing unwanted and expired medications from the home helps to eliminate this abuse.
This event will offer an environmentally friendly disposal alternative for unwanted and expired medications commonly found in homes.
Details
Where?
When?
- Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
What can I bring?
- Unwanted and expired medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, in tablet, liquid, ointment, inhaler, powder, or patch form.
What can't I bring?
- DO NOT bring sharps, syringes, needles, thermometers, bandages, gauze pads, sun block, lipstick, deodorant, skin cream, and similar products. THESE MATERIALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How should I prepare my medications?
- Medications should remain in their original containers.
- Do not remove labels. Personal information (i.e. names, addresses) should be crossed out, but information about the medication should be legible.
What should I expect at the drop-off?
- To participate, you must bring acceptable materials to the parking lot of Mutzabaugh's Market on Saturday, April 17, 2010, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. You will see law enforcement officers and other people working at the event. The reason law enforcement officers will be there is that, by law, only they can take possession of certain types of medications (i.e. Valium, Oxycontin, Percocet, codeine). You may leave after handing your medications to the pharmacist.
What else do I need to know?
- All medications will be destroyed by incineration.
- There will be no refunds given for unwanted medications. No medications collected at the event will be resold or used.
- There is no charge to participate.
- The program is NOT available to businesses.
- DO NOT flush unwanted or expired medications down the drain or toilet unless the medications have flushing directions in the label.
- NEVER give unwanted medicines to someone else to use.
- NEVER take a prescription that was prescribed for someone else.
- Having unwanted medications around the home presents a danger to children, guests, and pets. Now is the time to get rid of them.
Call the Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority at 717.240.6489 or the Perry County Conservation District at 717.582.5139 for more information about this event.
The Cumberland-Perry Substance Abuse Coalition is a proud supporter of this medication collection and disposal event. For more information about the Coalition, call 717.240.6300 and ask for Linda Doty.
Funds and contributions to support this initiative have been provided by Cumberland and Perry Counties, Bloomfield Pharmacy, Mutzabaugh’s Market, PA State Police, Capital Area Behavioral Health Collaborative, and PA Attorney General’s Office
Pharmaceutical Collection and Disposal Program Historical Data
| Year |
Number of Participants |
Pounds of Pharmaceuticals |
| 2008 |
189 |
423 |
| 2009 |
317 |
1049 |
| TOTALS: |
506 |
1472 |
|
|