Conewango Creek Watershed Association

Archive for April, 2012

Water quality agencies have found prescription drugs in many water sources they have tested.  What can YOU do to avoid this problem?

Many prescription drugs are persistent in the environment, scientists are finding.  Some drugs that have shown up are digitalis and birth control, among many others.  Drugs, especially those taken long term are commonly found in water samples.  A certain amount of most drugs passes through the body and is excreted in the urine.  And even with sewage treatment, these drugs pass through the sewage systems largely unaffected and are discharged to our waterways.

Another problem is disposing of unused medications.  We’ve been told for years that we should flush them down the drain.  We are finding that is not such a good idea either.  So what can you do with them?  The Drug Enforcement Administration has been setting up drug “take back” days.  They collect the drugs and dispose of them safely.

The next Drug Take Back Day is April 28, 2012, 10 am to 2 pm.

The cost to you?  It’s free and they make it as convenient as possible for you.  So we encourage you to take those old medications and turn them in!  See the links below for more information- and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  Planned locations for the Conewango Watershed area are:

Locations in Warren Co.:

Locations in Chautauqua Co.:

Locations in Cattaraugus Co.:

Please leave all the meds in their original containers with the complete info on the labels!

NATIONAL DRUG TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

April 28, 2012
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

Americans that participated in the DEA’s third National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 29, 2011, turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,327 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the three prior Take-Back Days are combined, the DEA, and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed 995,185 pounds (498.5 tons) of medication from circulation in the past 13 months.

“The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “DEA remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place.”

“With the continued support and hard work of our more than 3,945 state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners, these three events have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, and increased awareness of this critical public health issue,” said Leonhart.

Collection Site Locator:

Find a collection site near you. Check back frequently as collection sites are continuously being added.

Law Enforcement Agencies Only:

For law enforcement agencies that wish to host a collection site please call the POC in your area.

Take-Back Day Partnership Toolbox:

Here you will find a list of files that you can download to use for your own purposes.

General Public Inquiries:

Inquiries can be made at 1-800-882-9539.