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(AP) - New federal prescription drug disposal guidelines recommend
mixing unused, unneeded or expired drugs with undesirable
substances -- like cat litter or coffee grounds -- and tossing them
in the trash in nondescript containers. 

Doing so should curb
prescription drug abuse and protect lakes and streams from
contamination, the White House and government health and
environment officials said.

      "Following these new guidelines will protect our nation's
waterways and keep pharmaceuticals out of the hands of potential
abusers," Environmental Protection Agency administrator Stephen L.
Johnson said Wednesday.

      Drugs should be flushed down the toilet only if the label says
it's safe to do so, according to the guidelines. Some pharmacies
also collect drugs for safe disposal.

      The government warned that abuse of prescription drugs is
increasingly common among teens and young adults. Often those drugs
are taken from the medicine cabinets of relatives or friends.

      While flushing drugs down the toilet can stem that sort of
abuse, it also can create environmental problems.


      Recent U.S. Geological Survey studies have shown that a wide
range of pharmaceuticals and other compounds survive wastewater
treatment and later are discharged into lakes, streams and other
bodies of water across North America. 

The USGS research found
antidepressants and their byproducts, for example, are being
released into the environment at concentrations that may affect
aquatic life.

Gallery

Minnesota doctors want drug disposal research and guidelines

Health

Here's a safety tip from your government:
Trash those unwanted prescription drugs with kitty litter or coffee
grounds to keep them from falling into the wrong hands -- and mouths.


Feds issue medication disposal guidelines

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