[Pharmwaste] PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISPOSAL PROGRAM KICK OFF JUNE 28 - P2D2

[Tenace, Laurie]

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Katy O'Grady-Pyne, Editorial Manager
RELEASE DATE June 10, 2008
Tel: (309) 665-5746
Email: katy.o'grady-pyne at osfhealthcare.org

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISPOSAL PROGRAM KICK OFF JUNE 28

BLOOMINGTON - OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is proud to sponsor the area's
first medication collection on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the
grounds of the medical center. 
"P2D2 Green Day" Prescription Drug Disposal Program at OSF St. Joseph Medical
Center, will give local residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted,
unused or expired medications in a safe, convenient and environmentally sound
manner. 
P2D2 (Pontiac Prescription Drug Disposal) began with Pontiac Township High
School teachers Paul Ritter's ecology class and Eric Bohn's Illinois studies
class. The purpose was to educate the public about the harm done to the
environment due to the current prescription and non-prescription drug
disposal practices and to provide an alternative way to ensure the quality of
water for future generations. Since the start of the program, students have
created videos and songs educating the community on the importance of
disposing of drugs properly, and the classes have been recognized through
numerous awards and acknowledgements from state leadership.
OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is the leader in Bloomington-Normal and McLean
County in establishing the prescription drug disposal program with P2D2. The
medical center's goal is to change the ideals and habits of the community by
bringing this program to the forefront. It will allow people to make a change
in their own world to ensure old or unused medications are disposed of
properly. 
This P2D2 event will accept prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary
medications, inhalers and mercury filled thermometers. Items that will not be
accepted include illegal drugs, needles, syringes and biohazardous materials.
Residents should bring their medications in the original packaging or
prescription bottles. The name and address should be marked out or removed,
but not the name of the medication.
Facts regarding drug disposal include:
*	Ninety percent of consumers dispose of unused medications via the
toilet or trash.
*	The United States Geological survey tested 139 streams in 30 states
and found 80 percent of the water samples contained residue of prescription
and non-prescription drugs.
*	Most young people, ages 12 to 17, abuse prescription drugs more than
any illicit drug except marijuana.
*	Seventy percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say
they received them from friends or family.
*	78,000 children under age five are treated for accidental medication
poisonings each year in the United States.
Drug disposal containers will be located in the activity tent and separated
into; prescription, blister packs (over-the-counter), and liquid. This free
event will also offer activities that every member of the family will enjoy,
including costume character "Pill Bottle Phil" to greet guests.

OSF Saint Francis' Life Flight and Bloomington's Fire and Rescue teams will
be present Saturday to give demonstrations and tours of their helicopter,
rescue truck, and ambulance. 

Children are invited to visit the "Learning-Is-Fun" activity center where
they can listen to their heart on the heart drum, combine fun and first-aid
in the Teddy Bear Clinic, enjoy FREE face painting by local artist, Mickey
Lower, ZooLady, or create their own artful masterpiece. Also included will be
a bicycle safety course, free balloons, prizes and give-aways throughout the
event.

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center will offer nutrition information and hourly
seminars with Registered Dietitian Kim McClintic. In addition, free blood
pressure, glucose checks and body fat analysis will be offered.

For future drug disposal locations please go to www.p2d2program.org
for a listing of participating pharmacies in the community.
For more information about the event please call (309) 665-5749.

Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

Mercury web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




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