How to Dispose Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so. Protecting Our Kids, Community and Waters from Drugs To dispose of prescription drugs not labeled to be flushed, you may be able to take advantage of community takeback programs or other programs, such as household hazardous waste collection events and drop boxes at the local Sheriff’s Office, that collect drugs at a central location for proper disposal. Cleveland County Drug Take-Back Events September 22, 2012 Burns High School 8:00am-4:00pm January 5, 2013 If a drug take-back or collection program is not available: 1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers. 2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds. 3. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag. 4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including the Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off. 5. Place the sealed container with the mixture, and the empty drug container, in the trash. www.whitehousedrugpolicy Cleveland County Health Department 8:00am-4:00pm March 16, 2013 Crest High School 8:00am-1:00pm March 18-24, 2013 For more information you may contact: Tyler McDaniel, Health Educator Cleveland County Health Department 704-484-5143 tyler.mcdaniel@clevelandcounty.com When a drug take-back event is not available, unused or expired medications may be taken to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office for proper disposal Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Residents may also drop off medications at the Shelby Police Department located on South Lafayette Street 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Patrick Center, Kings Mountain Watch newspaper for day and time April 20, 2013 Hazardous Household Waste Day Cleveland County Health Department 9:00am-1:00pm June 15, 2013 Kings Mountain High School 8:00am-1:00pm When accidents happen with medicine, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222 Protect our waters  A vast array of pharmaceuticals— including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones—have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, according to an Associated Press Investigation. (USA Today, 3/11/08)  Unused medications that are flushed or poured down the drain pollute the water supply.  Flushed drugs aren't removed in sewage treatment plants or septic tank systems—they enter the soil, rivers, streams, and groundwater.   Exposure to drugs found in waterways harm fish and other aquatic life. Pollution prevention is the best way to protect and clean up the environment. Do not flush  Protect our Kids Poisoning from prescription medication is a growing problem in North Carolina. Since 1999, nearly 4,500 people have died from prescription drug poisoning. Flushing prescription and over-thecounter drugs down the toilet or pouring them down the sink is dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment. Do not store  Keeping unused medications creates a dangerous opportunity for accidental poisonings or illicit drug use.  More than 70% of prescription drug abusers say they get the medications from friends or relatives for free or by theft.  More than 75% of all unintentional poisonings are by over-the-counter and prescription medications  Approximately 40% of injuries from unintentional poisonings occur in children under five years of age. A better choice  1 in 5 teens has abused prescription pain medicine.  Lock up the medicines you use now.  1 in 5 teens has abused prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.  Bring unused or unwanted medications to one of the locations listed on the front of this brochure.  1 in 10 teens has abused cough medicine.  Teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses. Make sure your kids and grandkids know that taking them without a prescription is just as dangerous and addictive as using street narcotics and illicit drugs.  Operation Medicine Drop or the Sheriff’s Office will take your unwanted drugs and will dispose of them in a safe nonhazardous manner.  Operation Medicine Drop provides a way to join the fight against drug abuse, protect family and pets against accidental ingestion and help keep our water clean and safe.  Drop off is anonymous, quick, and easy.