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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Hello:</FONT>
<BR><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> I am new to the list-serve and on the environmental stewardship committee of my hospital. Recently, we received a grant from DNREC to start a medication take back program for the community and planned to do so at three out-patient hospital pharmacies. The plan is to purchase secure, locked bins and for the public to come during pharmacy hours and dispose of meds. We did not want to exclude controlled substances, as there would really be no one continuously monitoring what was dropped in the bins, and of course, we want to collect as much as possible in order to divert from going down the drain. The DEA has stepped in, with controlled substance act in hand, and said "NO" - stating that even if we said, "No controlled substances" the public would not be able to distinguish and therefore not an option. Also, that controlled substances cannot be returned to a 'registrant', although no one in the pharmacy would be handling the meds. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"> I am seeking any advice regarding moving forward with our program. How have other systems or communities navigated this roadblock? Also, what, if anything, is being done at this time to amend the controlled substance act? What is the role of the EPA in interfacing with the DEA to advocate for providing waivers in order to decrease the introduction of<B> all</B> pharmaceuticals into water? </FONT></P>
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Thanks!</FONT>
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<P><I><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS">Michelle Lauer, RN, BSN, BC</FONT></I>
<BR><I><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS">Patient Care Coordinator - Psychiatry</FONT></I>
<BR><I><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS">428-2117 or pager # 884-9440</FONT></I>
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