HOW TO DISPOSE

HOW TO DISPOSE
Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet
or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do
so.
To dispose of prescription drugs not labeled to
be flushed, you may be able to take advantage
of community drug take‐back programs or
other programs, such as household hazardous
waste collection events, that collect drugs at a
central location for proper disposal.
If a drug take‐back or collection program is
not available:
1. Take your prescription
drugs out of their original
containers.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat
litter or used coffee grounds.
3. Put the mixture into a disposable container
with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or
into a sealable bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal information,
including Rx number, on the empty containers
by covering it with black permanent marker or
duct tape, or by scratching it off.
5. Place the sealed container with the mixture,
and the empty drug containers, in the trash.
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY
Protecting Our Kids, Communities
and Waters from Drugs
Protect
Our waters



A vast array of
pharmaceuticals—
including antibiotics, anticonvulsants,
mood stabilizers
and sex hormones—have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million
Americans, according to an Associated Press investigation. (USA Today,
3/11/08)
Unused medications that are flushed
or poured down the drain pollute the
water supply
Flushed drugs aren’t removed in sewage treatment plants or septic tank
systems-they enter the soil, rivers and
streams and groundwater

Exposure to drugs found in waterways
harms fish and other aquatic life

Pollution prevention is the best way to
clean up the environment
DO NOT FLUSH

PROTECT
OUR KIDS
Flushing prescription and over-the-counter
drugs down the toilet or pouring them
down the sink is dangerous for humans,
animals and the environment
Poisoning from
prescription
medication is a
DO NOT STORE

Keeping unused medications creates a
dangerous opportunity for accidental
poisoning or illicit drug use

More than 70% of prescription drug abusers say they get the medications from
friends or relatives for free or by theft
A better choice
growing problem
in North Carolina
Since 1999 nearly 4,500 people have died
from prescription drug poisoning

More than 75% of all unintentional
poisonings are by over-the-counter
and prescription medications

Approximately 40% of injuries from
unintentional poisonings occur in children under five years of age

Lock up the medicines you use now.


Bring unused or unwanted medications
to the location listed on the front of this
flier
1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription
pain medicine

1 in 5 teens has abused prescription
stimulants and tranquilizers

1 in 10 has abused cough medicine

Teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses. Make
sure your kids and grandkids know
that taking them
without a prescription is just
as dangerousand addictive-as
using street narcotics and illicit
drugs

Operation Medicine Drop will take your
unwanted drugs and will dispose of
them in a safe and non-hazardous
manner

Operation Medicine Drop provides a
way to join the fight against drug
abuse, protect your family and pets
against accidental ingestion and help
keep our water clean and safe

Drop off is anonymous, quick and easy