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Concerning the Federal Government Drug Disposal Guidance...<br>
<br>
I'm not quite sure where to begin...<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
Rachel Golden<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Rachel Golden<br>
Adult Environmental Education Program Manager<br>
Office of Environmental Education<br>
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources<br>
1609 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609<br>
919-733-0711 (phone) 919-733-1616 (fax)<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:rachel.golden@ncmail.net">rachel.golden@ncmail.net</a><br>
<a href="http://www.eenorthcarolina.org">www.eenorthcarolina.org</a><br>
<br>
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