Get Rid Of Unused Or Expired Medications Safely
DENVER (CBS4)- More than 100 law enforcement agencies across Colorado will offer a safe way for anyone to dispose of their unused or expired medications on Saturday, April 30.
But you don't have to wait until this once-a-year take-back event. There is a way to properly dispose of medication anytime. It's called the Colorado Medication Take Back.
Throwing unused prescription medication or even over-the-counter medication in the trash or flushing them can harm the environment.
"The ingredients of pharmaceuticals are finding their way into the environment, particularly into water supplies," said Colorado Department of Public Health spokesman Greg Fabisiak.
The Colorado Dept. of Health has placed 11 collection boxes at stores along the Front Range and in Summit County. One is located at the King Soopers store in Stapleton.
It's simple to use and free. Open the box and drop in unused pharmaceuticals, including prescription drugs- except for narcotics or controlled substances- over-the-counter medications, liquids in containers, even vitamins.
Those pills and liquids collected are ground, shredded and incinerated.
"In about 16 months we've collected over 9,200 pounds of medications," said Fabisiak.
The Colorado Medication Take Back is a pilot project, but one the state is anxious to expand.
"There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to figure out how we're going to accomplish that," said Fabisiak.
Federal law requires that controlled substances can only be accepted by a certified peace officer. Those officers will be on hand on April 30 to accept those types of narcotics and medications.
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