Historically we have been told to flush prescriptions and other unwanted drugs down the toilet. However, prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are flushed make their way to our waterways, harming fish and other aquatic life. Water treatment plants handle organic waste and are not equipped to manage hazardous chemicals that some drugs become, resulting in hormonal abnormalities in aquatic organisms.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association signed an agreement in March 2007 in Atlanta to begin a public education campaign about proper disposal of prescription drugs. A few states and several pharmacies have started substantial disposal programs. Although Georgia does not have a statewide program in place yet, calling or emailing the Division of Public Health (404-657-2700; gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us) will help encourage the state to create a proper medication disposal program. Requesting your local pharmacy to create a program to keep pharmaceuticals out of our water systems may encourage them to create one, also.

In the meantime, the best way to dispose of unwanted or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs is to crush solid medications or dissolve them in water (including liquid medications) and mix with cat litter, coffee grinds or sawdust to absorb the material. Then, place the entire mixture in a sealed plastic bag before throwing it in the trash. Until programs are in place throughout the state or at local pharmacies, these small actions will help reduce the chemicals and toxic waste in our water.

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