[Pharmwaste] Federal Government issues drug disposal guidance
- source in the federal Drug Strategy
gressitt at uninets.net
gressitt at uninets.net
Thu Feb 22 12:34:54 EST 2007
Precisely.
We have 2 years to move forward for a more effective process than coffee
grounds.
constructively.
Stevan Gressitt, M.D.
207-441-0291
www.mainebenzo.org
> Stevan: You are referring to the following paragraph(from
> http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/policy/ndcs07/chap3.pdf),
> right?
> "Over the next 2 years the Administration will seek to raise awareness
> regarding the importance of properly disposing of unneeded, unused
> controlled
> substance prescription drugs to reduce their diversion. Unless stated
> otherwise on the label, proper disposal methods include intermingling
> drugs
> with undesirable substances (such as used coffee grounds) and depositing
> them
> in the garbage or bringing the drugs to a community pharmaceutical
> take-back
> or solid waste program. Unless otherwise directed, prescription drugs
> should
> not be flushed down the toilet due to the risk of contaminating water
> sources. Parents should remain vigilant and keep a tally of
> pharmaceuticals
> in the household to ensure that children do not have unauthorized access
> to
> them."
>
> Jack
> John L. (Jack) Price
> Environmental Manager
> Hazardous Waste Management MS 4555
> Florida Department of Environmental Protection
> 2600 Blair Stone Road
> Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
> Phone:850.245.8751
> Fax: 850.245.8811
> john.l.price at dep.state.fl.us
> www.dep.state.fl.us/waste
> Please Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written
> communications to or from state officials regarding state business are
> public
> records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail is
> communications and may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of gressitt
> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:06 PM
> To: Thompson.Virginia at epamail.epa.gov; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Federal Government issues drug disposal guidance
>
> The critical document is less I think the guidelines, however, than the
> paragraph on the second column on page 31 of the Drug Strategy that was
> released just recently and available on the ONDCP web page.
> Stevan Gressitt, M.D.
> 207-441-0291
> www.mainebenzo.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of
> Thompson.Virginia at epamail.epa.gov
> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:01 AM
> To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
> Subject: [Pharmwaste] Federal Government issues drug disposal guidance
>
> On Feb. 20, 2007, the Federal Government, including the White House Office
> of
> National Drug Control Policy, the Dept. of Health & Human Services, and
> the
> Environmental Protection Agency jointly issued guidelines for proper
> disposal
> of prescription drugs. The press release is reprinted below, but it is
> also
> available at http://www.ondcp.gov/news/press07/022007.html
>
> FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF
> PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
>
> WHAT EVERY AMERICAN CAN DO TO PREVENT MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
>
>
> (Washington, DC)-In the face of rising trends in prescription drug
> abuse, the Federal government today issued new guidelines for the
> proper disposal of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs.
> The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the
> Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Environmental
> Protection Agency (EPA) jointly released the new guidelines, which
> are designed to reduce the diversion of prescription drugs, while
> also protecting the environment.
>
>
> The new Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines urge Americans
> to:
>
> § Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their
> original containers
> § Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like
> used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable,
> non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further
> ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by
> children or pets
> § Throw these containers in the trash
> § Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying
> patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so
> § Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to
> pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring
> unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal
>
> Abuse of prescription drugs to get high has become increasingly
> prevalent among teens and young adults. Past year abuse of
> prescription pain killers abuse now ranks second-only behind
> marijuana-as the Nation's most prevalent illegal drug problem. While
> overall youth drug use is down by 23 percent since 2001,
> approximately 6.4 million Americans report non-medical use of
> prescription drugs. New abusers of prescription drugs have caught up
> with the number of new users of marijuana. Much of this abuse appears
> to be fueled by the relative ease of access to prescription drugs.
> Approximately 60 percent of people who abuse prescription pain
> killers indicate that they got their prescription drugs from a friend
> or relative for free.
>
>
> John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, said,
> "Millions of Americans benefit from the tremendous scientific
> achievements represented by modern pharmaceutical products. But, when
> abused, some prescription drugs can be as addictive and dangerous as
> illegal street drugs. The new prescription drug disposal guidelines
> will help us stop and prevent prescription drug abuse, and the harm
> it can cause.
>
>
> Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said, "Health
> care providers, pharmacists, and family should be alert to the
> potential for prescription drug misuse, abuse, and dependence. In
> addition to supporting the new prescription drug disposal guidelines,
> they should address prescription drug misuse honestly and directly
> with their patients or loved ones when they suspect it. People in
> need should be encouraged to seek help for drug problems and if
> needed, enter treatment."
>
>
> The new Federal guidelines are a balance between public health
> concerns and potential environmental concerns.
>
>
> While EPA continues to research the effects of pharmaceuticals in
> water sources, one thing is clear: improper drug disposal is a
> prescription for environmental and societal concern," said EPA
> Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Following these new guidelines
> will protect our Nation's waterways and keep pharmaceuticals out of
> the hands of potential abusers."
>
>
> The new Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines go into effect
> immediately. As part of the National Drug Control Strategy, the Bush
> Administration has set a goal of reducing prescription drug abuse by
> 15 percent over three years. In addition to promoting awareness of
> the risks involved with using prescription drugs for non-medical
> purposes as well as they need for adults to strictly control access
> to pharmaceuticals within their homes, the Administration supports
> the implementation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs at the
> State level. Currently, 33 States have such programs in place.
>
> For more information, please visit www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
>
> Virginia Thompson
> Sustainable Healthcare Sector Coordinator Office of Environmental
> Innovation
> (3EA40) US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 1650 Arch Street,
> Philadelphia, PA 19103
> Voice: (215) 814-5755; Fax (215) 814-2783 thompson.virginia at epa.gov
>
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