9.20.10
Leftover drugs -- Dispose of them the proper way
Omaha World-Herald editiorial
Millions of Americans are taking millions of pills -- prescription and over-the-counter -- every day. What happens to those medications when they're expired, unwanted or no longer needed?
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies hope people will bring them to special collection sites on Saturday, Sept. 25, to be properly disposed of. The no-questions-asked National Drug Take-back Day will be held at five locations around the Omaha area.
This is more important than it might seem. First, officials say these drugs are increasingly being abused; the path from medicine cabinet to drug dealers and users isn't that difficult.
Then, too, there is the problem of water contamination. An Associated Press investigation two years ago found that a host of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, mood stabilizers and sex hormones, have been found in drinking water supplies of cities across the country.
These drugs get into the watersheds and water supplies at least two ways: Some medications are not metabolized and are excreted by those who take them. Then, when people no longer need treatment, many simply flush the pills into the sewer system.
Regular sewage treatment doesn't remove the drugs; neither does routine drinking water treatment.
Though traces of drugs were found in the Omaha watershed, officials at the Metropolitan Utilities District said there has been no research to indicate any harm to humans from the parts-per-million or parts-per-billion that might remain in drinking water. M.U.D. said Omahans can have confidence in the safety of their drinking water.
Officers from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Omaha, Bellevue and Council Bluffs Police Departments will staff drug collection sites September 25. Anyone wanting to drop off unwanted pills, tablets or capsules can contact those departments for times and places.
The best way to protect drinking water and prevent prescription drugs from being abused is to dispose of them the right way. Thanks to local law enforcement departments, Omaha-area residents will be able to do so.