[Pharmwaste] Federal Government issues drug disposal guidance

[rachel golden]

Concerning the Federal Government Drug Disposal Guidance...

I'm not quite sure where to begin...

First of all, the fact of the matter is that people just won't do this.  
The folks who are calling our organizations and asking about how they 
can safely dispose of their drugs are not representative of the overall 
population, and I don't even think all of them would go through the 
trouble of mixing their drugs in coffee grounds or cat litter.  This is 
not a realistic solution, or even a realistic temporary solution.  It 
might be a way to remove any responsibility from themselves, but it in 
no way gets us closer to a solution.

Second, is this the actual guidance document that the public is supposed 
to get their information from?  Please tell me it's not, and that the 
writers of this guidance document are currently working with educators 
to craft the actual public document.  The reading level is not 
appropriate for the general public.  Most material for the public is 
written at a 6th to 8th grade reading level.  The bulleted points in the 
drug disposal guidance document are at a 12th grade reading level.  I 
also would not recommend one of the bullet points reading, "Flush 
prescription drugs down the toilet only if..."  This guidance document 
is needed specifically to let people know NOT to flush their drugs, an 
action that was once recommended, so giving guidance that phrases 
flushing in positive terminology will only confuse people.

This is an enormous issue that I think will require law changes as well 
as the public being educated to think about waste and disposal in an 
entirely new framework.  I don't think the guidance document even begins 
to acknowledge this.

Sincerely,
Rachel Golden
-- 
Rachel Golden
Adult Environmental Education Program Manager
Office of Environmental Education
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
1609 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609
919-733-0711 (phone) 919-733-1616 (fax)
rachel.golden at ncmail.net
www.eenorthcarolina.org <http://www.eenorthcarolina.org>

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