While cleaning for spring, it is common to forget to clean out one important place in our homes: the medicine cabinet. Storing leftover prescription medications can leave you vulnerable to consuming expired medications, prescription drug misuse, and even theft. Responsible storage and disposal of prescription medications is an important part of keeping the community safe and healthy.
According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), when medications are flushed down the drain or disposed of improperly in the trash, they can make their way into waterways and contaminate surface water. These substances cannot be fully removed by typical wastewater treatment plants and can negatively impact drinking water, fish, and other wildlife.
OBN also notes that expired medications left in the home can be targeted by individuals for misuse. Current or expired prescription medications can be abused, or traded or sold in order to obtain alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Parents and community members can help prevent this by ensuring medications are stored safely and securely and disposed of properly.
To properly dispose of medications at home:
- Take unused or expired prescription medications out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter
- Place the mixture in a sealed container, such as an empty can or sealable bag, and dispose of it in the trash.
These steps help prevent the medication from being ingested by children or pets or retrieved by others. If you have questions, ask your pharmacist for guidance on proper disposal.
We encourage parents and community members to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unwanted or unused medications. Garvin County offers convenient drop box locations at the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, 201 W. Grant Ave., Pauls Valley; the Lindsay Police Department, 801 N. Industrial Heights, Lindsay; the Garvin County 911 Call Center, 225 W. McClure Ave., Room 205, Pauls Valley; and the Pauls Valley Police Department, 400 W. Paul Ave, Pauls Valley.
PASS will also be conducting their next prescription drug take back event on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with First United Bank’s Shred Day. It will be held at First United Bank, 315 W. Grant St., in Pauls Valley. Free lockboxes, at home disposal and Narcan kits will be available while supplies last.
The PASS Coalition meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon at First United Bank in Pauls Valley. Meetings are also available virtually via Google Meet. To be added to the email list, please contact PASSDRUGFREE@gmail.com. Follow @PASSdrugfree on Facebook to stay informed about upcoming Take Back events in Garvin County.