Proper disposal eliminates the risk of medications contaminating Vermont's natural resources and waterways
Never flush meds down the toilet!
Medications that are flushed or poured down the drain have found their way into our nation’s lakes, rivers and streams. Most water treatment plants or septic tanks have not been designed to remove the chemicals contained in medications. There is limited information available on the potential health effects to humans, animals or aquatic ecosystems if large amounts of these chemicals get into the nation’s water supply. (Source VT Dept. of Health)
Researchers have detected all sorts of drugs in drinking water — antibiotics, antidepressants, contraceptives and on down the list. The presence of endocrine disruptors, found in drugs such as steroids, has been shown to seriously mess with hormones in fish, decreasing fertility and even causing sex change. Sauvé contributed to one study that found the presence of six antidepressants in brook trout (concentrated in the liver and brain) exposed to municipal effluent (Chemosphere 2011; 83:564–71). (source US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health)
Antibiotics, anti-consultants, mood stabilizers and hormones have been found in the drinking supply of 46 million Americans and have been detected in the drinking water of 24 major metropolitan areas. (source Associated Press Investigation)
Maybe you’re not one of the many people who take great care to protect the environment and keep our water system clear. However, with such a simple system for disposing your unused drugs in place, the question becomes why would you not take advantage of it and practice proper disposal?
Researchers have detected all sorts of drugs in drinking water — antibiotics, antidepressants, contraceptives and on down the list. The presence of endocrine disruptors, found in drugs such as steroids, has been shown to seriously mess with hormones in fish, decreasing fertility and even causing sex change. Sauvé contributed to one study that found the presence of six antidepressants in brook trout (concentrated in the liver and brain) exposed to municipal effluent (Chemosphere 2011; 83:564–71). (source US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health)
Antibiotics, anti-consultants, mood stabilizers and hormones have been found in the drinking supply of 46 million Americans and have been detected in the drinking water of 24 major metropolitan areas. (source Associated Press Investigation)
Maybe you’re not one of the many people who take great care to protect the environment and keep our water system clear. However, with such a simple system for disposing your unused drugs in place, the question becomes why would you not take advantage of it and practice proper disposal?
The Prescription (Rx) drug drop boxes have been provided by the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition [BAPC] and theGreater Falls Connections, Deerfield Valley Community Partnership, The Collaborative and West River Valley Thrives as a prevention strategy to address concerns of prescription drug misuse in Windham County, Vermont. The boxes were purchased from The National Association of Drug Diversion Program [NADDI] using federal grant funding through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.
*Photo Credit: Kelly Salisan - This Vermont Life
*Photo Credit: Kelly Salisan - This Vermont Life
