Report: 2 percent of medicine safely tossed
MADISON—A new report says only about 2 percent of waste medication is safely discarded in Wisconsin.
The study says the state’s voluntary drug collection program is “insufficient and unsustainable.” The report was done by the University of Wisconsin Extension and the nonprofit Product Stewardship Institute. It found about 13 million pounds of medication was sold in 2010 and 4.4 million pounds weren’t used because the drugs had reached their expiration date or were no longer needed.
The study concluded the majority of unused medication is flushed down toilets, thrown in the trash or left in bathroom cabinet and make their way into public water systems or end up in the wrong hands.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the study says the drug collection program has been hampered by inadequate funding, red tape and lack of public awareness.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:07 p.m.
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by the way the "mib" is the medical information bureau...
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:02 p.m.
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AND if you are REALLY concerned w/ground water contamination the public would not believe the quantity of toxic waste g.m. was allowed to just throw in the dumpsters when they were running..this is a joke non issue...
Jan 14, 2013 at 3:55 p.m.
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some insurance database is probably behind this nonsense.yea just turn in your bottles w/the labels on them next thing u know the ins. co u apply for knows what meds you've taken since 1999. ck out the "mib" see what they have on you...
Jan 14, 2013 at 2:42 p.m.
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Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies. Most medicines are not removed by waste water treatment plants or septic systems.
Throwing medication in the garbage does not ensure that they won’t end up in the wrong hands. These medications can be found by others and used; prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the country. These medications can also be found by curious child or pet. There is an epidemic of accidental poisonings from medicines in our homes - and children are the most common victims. Human medications are the leading cause of pet poisonings, most often from trash-related toxic exposures. Drugs can be very toxic for people and wildlife, even in low doses. Just as we do not put used motor oil or leftover paint thinner in the trash, we should not put these extremely potent pharmaceutical chemicals into unsecured curbside trash cans.
Protect your children and keep your family safe by storing your medicines securely at home. When you have medicines that are expired or unwanted, use one of the 24 hour drug drop boxes – it’s the safest way to dispose of unused medication.
Jan 14, 2013 at 2:10 p.m.
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Enlighten me but what is wrong with disposing unused/expired meds in the trash?
Jan 14, 2013 at 12:23 p.m.
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Easy program in Janesville. Thanks. I assume this would cover pet meds too?
Jan 14, 2013 at 11:24 a.m.
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Janesville makes disposing of all medications easy! Drop your expired, unused, or unneeded medications at any of the 3 drop boxes located at: the Police Department (100 N. Jackson), Mercy Mall (1010 N. Washington) and Mercy Clinic East (3524 E. Milwaukee St.)
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