Unwanted Medication Disposal

Posted on November 12, 2015

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2015

 

Allen County Sheriff Department, Fort Wayne Police, and Indiana State Police, partnered with 15 Walgreen’s Drug Stores for Unwanted Medication Disposal Day on Friday, September 25, 2015.

We are proud to announce that 3,420 pounds of unwanted medication was collected during the event. This brings the total to over 41,500 pounds collected since September 2003.

Flushing unwanted or expired medications down the drain and throwing it in the trash introduces these drugs into the environment. Waste-water treatment facilities are not designed to remove pharmaceutical chemicals resulting in discharges into local streams and lakes. While the full effects of these waste chemicals has yet to be determined, studies show reproductive and developmental problems in fish and other aquatic wildlife living downstream of some waste-water treatment facilities.

In addition to environmental concerns, unwanted and expired medication can pose threats to human health. Pets and children can be poisoned from accidental ingestion of medicines thrown away in the trash. Some types of medications can be targeted by criminals increasing the danger of illegal use and theft. Protect your family, yourself and the environment by properly disposing of unwanted and expired medication.

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For those unable to make the Walgreen’s collection dates, there are also ongoing collection sites (for pills only) at:

  • Indiana State Police Post (5811 Ellison Rd)
  • Allen County Sheriff (Huntertown Town Hall)
  • Fort Wayne Police (Rousseau Centre Building)
  • New Haven Police (815 Lincoln Highway East)

Our next Unwanted Medication disposal day will be held on April 22, 2016