The state Ag Department aims to keep us safe from unwanted drugs.
Expired prescription drugs are schedule to be collected, secured, and incinerated at various collection sites throughout the state. Dennis Presser, Clean Sweep program manager, says dumping your old, unused medications down the toilet is not acceptable.
“Flushing medication down the toilet is not a good idea. What is happening, is it’s turning up in our ground water and in our surface water, as well.”
Presser says, it’s also important to protect kids and animals from accidental poisoning, and prevent illegal uses. He says medications should remain in their original containers for drug identification purposes. If you can’t make it to a collection site, be sure to dispose of your drugs properly.
“One of the things that you can do is to mix your pharmaceuticals with let’s say unpleasant things: used coffee grounds, kitty litter…”
The State Ag Department is giving $75,000 of grant funds to local governments to hold collection events in 31 counties and three municipalities.
NOTE: In 2007, the Legislature authorized the Department to begin collecting unwanted prescription drugs. For details on specific collection dates, locations and times, there is an INTERACTIVE MAP.
Jackie Johnson report 1:26