What drug habit do we all need to break?
October 28, 2008The habit of chucking unused medication. When we flush meds down drains or send them to landfills, they can make their way into rivers and even drinking water. Safer disposal is just what the doc ordered.
+THE BENEFITS OF SAFER DISPOSAL
Not turning fish into addicts. The U.S. Geological Service found that more than 80% of sampled rivers tested positive for meds like antibiotics, birth control hormones, and antidepressants.
Less drugged-out drinking water. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals end up in our taps (and bottled water, since 40% of bottled is just repackaged tap water) because most treatment plants aren’t designed to filter them out.
Helping people who can’t afford meds. More than 20 states have programs that’ll take unused drugs and redistribute them.