Medicine disposal Saturday
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on October 3, 2011 1:46 PM
The Wayne County 4-H Prevention Program, Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Wayne Connections/Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force will sponsor a pill drop-off collection Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Operation Medicine Drop will take place at Berkeley Mall.
"What do you do with those pills that collect in your medicine cabinet or kitchen? asked Barbara Byers, 4-H Prevention Program director. "Some people keep them in case they need them down the road, while others flush them down the toilet. These solutions may have worked in the past, but not in today's world."
Those dropping off pills should leave them in the original bottle or container to enable the types of pills collected to be tracked. No names will be used, and the bottles will be destroyed with the pills in them in the incinerator.
In recent years, scientists have discovered various kinds of medicines in the public water supply.
"Most waste water treatment facilities are not able to remove these substances from the water supply," she said.
Ms. Byers also noted that leaving old medicine bottles around poses a threat to children.
Needles, syringes, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care items, hydrogen peroxide and empty containers will not be accepted. For more information, contact Ms. Byers at 731-1527 or Brandy Jones at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 705-6584.