How to Properly Dispose of Prescription Drugs

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Do you know how to properly dispose of prescription drugs? How about over-the-counter medications? This is a common question and there are a lot of misconceptions about how to get rid of medications that are expired or unused.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

WHY PROPER DISPOSAL IS IMPORTANT

As a registered nurse I know that proper medication disposal is important. Many people don’t realize the serious impact that improper medication disposal can have on our environment and on other people.

Three common disposal methods that are INCORRECT are flushing medications down the toilet, putting medications down the sink drain or just throwing the meds in the garbage.

Putting meds into the toilet or down the sink can cause environmental issues.

Throwing medications away could contribute to the massive opioid crisis that is plaguing our country.

It is very easy to properly dispose of prescription and non-prescription drugs!! As a registered nurse for over 20 years, I have seen the effects of the opioid crisis personally in my work. The impact on families is very high and everything we can do to help prevent this crisis makes a difference.

  • Did you know that according to DrugAbuse.gov, 18 million people in the U.S. over the age of 12 have misused medications at least once in the past year?
  • Did you know that according to CDC.gov, 192 Americans die of a drug overdose each day? What if those people didn’t have access to the medications??
  • Did you know that according to the Associated Press, 46 million Americans are exposed to trace amounts of medications in their drinking water?
  • Did you know that according to SAMSHSA.gov, 83% of people who misuse prescription pain relievers including opioids get them from a friend, relative or other people?

If more people knew how to properly dispose of prescription medications we may be able to help these numbers decrease.  Keeping unused and expired medications out of our homes can make a difference.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BAKE DAY

National Prescription Drug Take-Bake Day is coming up on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This is a day that focuses on educating the public on the importance of proper medication disposal and works with local communities to promote the right disposal methods.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

LifeInCheck CONSUMER DRUG TAKE-BACK PROGRAM

LifeInCheck wants to make it easy to dispose of medications any day of the year. They have LifeInCheck Consumer Drug Take-Back receptacles around the country that are convenient for medication disposal anytime.

These receptacles are simple to use. Just take your unused or expired medications to the receptacle and drop them inside.

You can use their handy tool to locate the nearest LifeInCheck Drug Disposal location to your home. We went to a local county hospital to drop off our medications.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

The best way to get rid of your unused and expired drugs is to take them to a drug take-back event or drop them at a LifeInCheck Consumer Drug Take-Back Receptacle. 

Using the Consumer  Drug Take-Back Receptacle is simple!

  • Just pull the handle to open the drawer.
  • Place the medications inside.
  • Close the drawer.
  • DONE!

This is a safe, discreet and EASY way to dispose of our prescription and non-prescription medications! You can even drop pet medications at the receptacle.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED?

Do you know someone who has been affected by the opioid crisis? Has your community been impacted by drug overdoses? Be sure to spread the word about the proper way to dispose of medications and how this simple action can have positive benefits to our communities.

Learn more about the LifeInCheck Consumer Drug Take-Back Program and let me know which location you will use to drop off your unused medications.

how to properly dispose of prescription medications

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie
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