SECURE YOUR MEDS

With Americans at home, families need to be even more vigilant and keep prescription medications safe, secure, and out of reach of children and others in the household until they can properly dispose of them. These substances when left lying around the home can be misused and abused.

The DEA will schedule a National Prescription Drug Take Back day for a date shortly after the health crisis recedes and national emergency guidelines are lifted.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

*When emergency guidelines and the Stay Safe, Stay Home directive is lifted, you will be able to bring your expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications to the Saratoga Springs’ Police Department for safe medication disposal in their permanent drop box. 

Please note that the police department only accepts expired, unused or unwanted prescription pills. Over-the-counter, supplements, liquids and/or needles are not accepted at the permanent drop box.

How NOT to dispose of medications

Many people aren’t aware of this, but most medications should NOT be poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet, or thrown directly in the trash in their original packaging. Here’s why:

• Small amounts of medication can enter the water system when medication is poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet, even after the wastewater is treated.
• Children or pets can find bottles of pills when they are thrown in the trash. They can also be found by thieves who go through trash cans to find pain medication or get your personal information from the bottles.

For more information contact Caryn Nielsen, Communities That Care Coordinator, at 801-888-9147