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Why is it important?

A growing concern is the abuse, by youth and others, of medications not prescribed for them. Safe disposal makes medicines less available. Evidence is increasing of the damage to the environment due to unsafe disposal of medications. Proper disposal helps protect our soil and water.

Environmental Importance:

Medications can be harmful to well maintained and functioning septic systems. High concentrations of medications can kill or retard the growth of the helpful bacteria in your septic tank and soil treatment area (drain field). Without safe disposal, these medicines can pass through the soil and contaminate the ground water we drink

Recent studies in Minnesota have proven that pharmaceutical compounds are very common in our lakes and rivers. Not only because of septic systems and feedlots, but also because wastewater treatment systems are not capable of filtering out these compounds before the water is returned to its source. Many of these compounds are endocrine disrupters which have been found to disrupt the reproductive cycles of fish. Yet, there are countless other trace compounds, within pharmaceuticals, that have unknown long term effects on the environment.

So, is there technology that wastewater treatment systems can utilize to remove these compounds from our waste water? There are, but the technology is so expensive that municipalities rarely consider these upgrades; which is why this program is so valuable. We cannot eliminate these trace amounts from our groundwater, lakes, and rivers, because when we take medicines we excrete some pharmaceutical compounds. However, we can reduce the amounts that enter our environment through responsible and safe disposal options.

Any unused, unwanted, or expired medicines, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, should be properly managed and not flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash. Pharmaceuticals are prescribed to people who need them, and should not be delivered to everyone in their drinking water.

Social Importance:[[In-content Ad]]

Prescription drug abuse is a serious and debilitating addiction; however there is not much awareness of this problem. The non-medical use or abuse of prescription drugs is more common now, even in Cass County. Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, there has been an increase in the nonmedical use of or abuse of prescription drugs in the United States. Although many prescription drugs can be abused, there are several classifications of medications that are commonly abused. The three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused are: Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain; Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; and Stimulants, which are commonly prescribed to treat ADD and ADHD.

It has been found that many youth obtain prescription medications for the purpose of abusing them from their own medicine cabinets. Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, students who wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs. There are serious health risks related to abuse of prescription drugs.

•A single large dose of prescription or over-the-counter painkillers or depressants can cause breathing difficulty that can lead to death.

•Stimulant abuse can lead to hostility or paranoia, or the potential for heart system failure or fatal seizures.

•Even in small doses, depressants and painkillers have subtle effects on motor skills, judgment, and ability to learn.

•The abuse of OTC cough and cold remedies can cause blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coma, and even death.

Many teens report mixing prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and alcohol. Using these drugs in combination can cause respiratory failure and death. Proper disposal of medications will help decrease these types of medications getting into the wrong hands.

What is Take It To The Box?

The Take It To The Box program promotes the safe use, safe storage; in particular the safe disposal of unneeded medication.

How should I get my medicine ready to drop off in The Box?

Medicine should be left in their original container with the label. If the medicine is a prescription, use a marker to cross off your name. Leave all other information on the container.

Partners:

Cass County Sheriff's Office, Public Health and Environmental Service and the Working Together Coalition.

The Take It To The Box medication disposal box will be available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, beginning November 1, 2011.

Where is the disposal box located?

Cass County Sheriff's Office, 303 Minnesota Avenue, Walker Minn. 56484

Future Location: Lake Shore Police Department

Other locations are being explored, as well as the possibility of having a box available at County, Township and other events held within the county.

For information, contact, Working Together Coalition; Cass County Sheriff's Office; Cass County Public Health; Environmental Services; Kelly Felton 218-330-8129; Pauline Fahey; 218-547-7308 Jamie Richter 218-547-1340; or Brita Sailer 218-547-7428

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