Allen County residents can dispose of unused prescription drugs at a special event this weekend to recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. New this year, residents also can dispose of electronic vaping devices and cartridges.
Vaping has been declared a serious health epidemic and I feel it will also cause a recycling nightmare, Jessica McGinnis, Drug Free Community Coordinator with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, said. E-cigarette waste disposal is a significant environmental problem. The cartridges hold flavored nicotine or cannabis solution and contain harmful chemicals that must be dealt with as hazardous waste. Im happy to see that the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back is taking this seriously.
Locally, prescription medications and vaping devices can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Iola Police Department and Humboldt Police Department. Educational material will be offered during the event. The service is free and anonymous.
Unused or leftover prescription drugs can be dropped off throughout the year at stations in Moran, Humboldt and Iola. The special event is organized as a way to educate the public about the danger of keeping unused or leftover medications, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens.
McGinnis recommends residents black out their personal information on the label or remove the label. Also, some prescriptions should not be flushed, as most of the chemicals in the drug passes through treatment plants or septic systems and can end up in nearby rivers and lakes. The FDA has a list of drugs that can be flushed. This list can be found at FDA.gov website.
Its dangerous to throw prescriptions in your trash, where others can take and use it. That also makes you a target, as thieves might return to look for more medications in your home, McGinnis said. She also advises residents to lock up prescription drugs, especially if you have children or teens in your home.
To dispose of vaping devices, remove lithium ion batteries before dropping off the devices. If batteries cannot be removed, consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.
The local event is sponsored by Allen County Multi-Agency Team-ACMAT and Thrive Allen County.
