Don't Rush To Flush (disposing of old meds)

While I catch up on my local news articles, I came across a public service announcement worthy of repeating. The article appeared in the Chelsea Standard earlier this month Pharmacies help dispose of prescription drugs. (Jan. 1, 2009)

The message is that when you have unused medications leftover, don't flush them down the toilet or the pour them in your sink. These items need to be disposed of properly so they don't end up in our ground water. This includes prescription drugs, over the counter cold remedies, medicated ointments, inhalers, pet medications, and many other categories of things you may have in your cabinets.

Visit the Medication Disposal page on the eWashtenaw.gov website for instructions on how you SHOULD dispose of these items. Some local pharmacies will take the drugs and dispose of them properly for you. Those listed in the Chelsea and Dexter areas include:

Dexter Pharmacy
8059 Main St.
Dexter, MI 48130
(734) 426-4641

Dexter Pharmacy 2
7039 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd.
Dexter, MI 48130
(734) 426-1600

ChelseaCare Pharmacy (at the Chelsea hospital)
775 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Map and Directions
(734) 475-3996

If you have your own preferred pharmacy, you may want to give them a call and see if they offer this service as well.

Another important issue to be reminded of is that expired medications may be ineffective, or even toxic. Don't keep them past their "used by" date.