PRESCRIPTION DRUG COLLECTION CAMPAIGN:
In November of 2008 and again in April of 2009, The Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County, Law Enforcement and Nevada County Recycles collaboratively held prescription drug collection campaigns that yielded nearly 350 pounds of unused or expired medications.
Survey shows:
65% of those would have held on to prescriptions if not for the collection campaign. Thus making them accessible to youth in the home.
15% would have thrown unused prescription medications in the trash.
8% would have flushed or buried unused or expired prescriptions.
Click Here to View full details of Survey Results
You can anonymously throw away your unused or expired prescription medications and sharps. Medications should stay in their original containers. Personal information on labels can be crossed out. Please bring sharps in approved biohazard containers.
Non-narcotic drugs and sharps in approved biohazard containers can be dropped off at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station located at 14741 Wolf Mountain Road, Grass Valley.
www.nevadacountyrecycles.com
Safeguard Nevada County Youth from Substance Abuse and Protect the Environment!
- Today 2500 kids will try pain killers for the first time
- 70% of kids 12 years & older who abuse prescription drugs say they got them from HOME, a RELATIVE, or a FRIEND.
Everyday in California, unwanted or expired medicine is disposed of down the toilet. While this was once recommended practice, studies show that pharmaceuticals can pass through wastewater treatment facilities into creeks, rivers, bays and oceans. In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that there were pharmaceutical compounds in 80% of waterways tested. Because many of these compounds are designed to be effective in small doses, there is concern that they may have impacts on water quality and wildlife. There is also concern that pharmaceuticals may cause upsets of biological wastewater treatment systems and failures of whole effluent toxicity tests, impact the beneficial reuse of biosolids, and jeopardize POTWs’ ability to provide a high quality recycled water.
To address this issue, The Coalition for a Drug Free Nevada County has parnered with local law enforcement and Nevada County Recycles to hold prescription drug collections.