Keep Drinking Water Safe­—

Agency Advises Discard Drugs, Nutritional Supplements Safely

HARTFORD — The earth’s water supply is being harmed by the cumulative effects of medication being flushed into its waterways, and simple changes in how individuals discard unused or outdated drugs can make a difference. That is the message offered by the Department of Consumer Protection and its Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr.

“We don’t want to see drugs of any kind falling into the wrong hands or getting tossed down the drain, because both scenarios pose real problems for society,” Mr Farrell said. “Our Drug Control Division actively works with local and regional groups to raise awareness of the dangers of keeping unused or outdated medicine around the house, or tossing them down the drain.”

“Across the globe, every discussion on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals points to proper disposal of medications as a significant way to lower the risk of groundwater contamination,” John Gadea, director of the agency’s Drug Control Division, said. “An added benefit is that it keeps potentially harmful medications out of the hands of curious children or persons who would abuse prescription drugs. Proper disposal is something important that’s quick and simple for everyone to do.”

Mr Farrell said that guidelines and steps for planning a communitywide drug disposal event are posted on the Department of Consumer Protection’s website — www.ct.gov/dcp — in the “Recently Added” section. Instructions for consumers who want to safely discard unused medication in their curbside trash include:

1. Keep medication in its original container. To protect privacy, cross out patient names with a marker or duct tape. Also cross out the name of the drug.

2. Add something to the medication to discourage anyone from taking it. Do not conceal medicine in food products because animals could inadvertently consume them. Add a small amount of water to dissolve pills or capsules. For liquid medications, add enough table salt, flour, charcoal, or a strong-tasting powdered spice or mustard to make a pungent, mixture that discourages anyone from eating it. Wrap blister packs in multiple layers of duct or other opaque tape.

3. Tape the container closed and place it inside an opaque bag or container, such as an empty margarine or yogurt tub.

4. Discard the container in your trash can; Do not put the container in your recycling bin.

 “There is a simple way to safely dispose of medicines in the trash,” the commissioner said. “If everyone did this, we’d be keeping our world a bit safer for our children and grandchildren.”