HHS HealthBeat (June 14, 2007)

Trashing old drugs

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss, with HHS HealthBeat.

You paid for the drugs, and maybe they’ll come in handy some day, so why throw them out?

Federal drug officials have a reason: Leftover prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives in the medicine chest run the risk of being abused and used as a way to get high.

At HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Dr. Westley Clark:

"They represent attractive temptations to teens and young adults to sample these drugs. And that contributes to overdoses and possibly addiction."  (10 seconds)

To dispose of old drugs, mix them with something people won’t want, like kitty litter or used coffee grounds. Then put that in a sealable plastic bag, and put the bag in the trash. Unless the label says you can dispose of the drugs by flushing, flushing can contribute to water pollution.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: June, 14 2007