The Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) is reminding people to dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals in a responsible manner. That opportunity will take place at the upcoming Drug Take-Back event on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Unwanted or outdated drugs will be collected at facilities around the state.
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During the past several years, the national Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies have teamed up in an effort to remove these substances from circulation.
In Daviess County the take-back event will be conducted by PWSD #3, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gallatin Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in the Daviess County Courthouse parking lot (north side) and at the Gallatin Police Department.
“While the DEA and law enforcement are primarily concerned with potential abuse of controlled substances, the MRWA’s interest lies in protection of drinking water sources,” explains MRWA Source Water Protection Specialist Eric Fuchs.
Increasing concern arises from the impact of these drugs in waterways, as Fuchs elaborates. “Most think pharmaceuticals are removed during the process to make clean drinking water. Wastewater treatment facilities are unable to remove pharmaceuticals. When medications are flushed down the toilet, these treatment plants eventually return these products to receiving streams: rivers, creeks, and lakes.”
In addition to the human health risks associated with drinking water, Fuchs outlines other potential dangers. “It is also important to protect the wildlife in our rivers and streams. Many species are sensitive to the products that are dumped or flushed, which end up in our streams.”
Occurrence data indicate the detection of antibiotics, anti-depressants, veterinary drugs, birth control hormones, and other drugs in waterways across the United States.
Research suggests that hormones found in pharmaceuticals may cause abnormalities in the reproductive cycles of fish. Antibiotics in the environment may also contribute to the development of drug resistant germs.
Proper disposal involves incineration, overseen by the DEA. Drugs may be dropped off anonymously at all collection sites.
Even tossing remaining drugs in the trash can doesn’t lessen the threat. “When thrown in trash cans,” Fuchs says, “pharmaceuticals eventually make their way to landfills. These products pose a threat here as well, since leaching substances can make their way into groundwater sources.”
To support this effort, the MRWA provides promotional flyers and banners; educates water specialists about measures to protect drinking water, including community involvement; and offers guidance about potential contaminant sources.
Although communities around the country have rallied behind this cause, federal dollars to support this campaign were briefly eliminated in the recent past. “The DEA had cancelled funding for this event,” Fuchs says, “but due to interaction from local communities who supported the program, funding was reinstated.”
A search through one’s medicine cabinet will likely find expired drugs or substances no longer needed following recovery. Aging parents or grandparents might have simply forgotten such products exist, allowing them to accumulate, potentially for years. The MRWA encourages individuals to inspect pharmaceuticals to see if they are still needed and to properly dispose of those which are not.
“We need to dispose of them properly to keep them out of our water supplies,” Fuchs emphasizes. “The MRWA encourages public water utilities to host collection sites and hopes to continually increase interest in this worthy cause.”
The Missouri Rural Water Association is a non-profit organization serving the needs of water and wastewater systems in Missouri through technical assistance, training, resources, and source water protection guidance.
Learn more about the MRWA’s many services at www.moruralwater.org or express yourself on its Facebook page.