Medication DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Medication DISPOSAL PROGRAM
Why is it important to promote safe medication practices in our community?
It’s true that prescription medications can help us live longer and healthier lives, but any medication has the potential to do harm—especially when misused. In fact, the misuse of prescription medications has become a serious public health epidemic. Millions of Americans misuse prescription medications each month, and thousands do so for the first time every day. The good news is that we can prevent prescription drug misuse by promoting safe medication practices in our homes and communities.
Safe Medication Practices:
• Only use medications as directed by a healthcare provider
• Never share prescription medications with others or take someone else’s medication
• Keep medications safe by storing them in secure locations
• Dispose of expired or unwanted medications at a local medication disposal site
Source: GenerationRx
Disposing of Medications:
The best way to ensure that unused or expired medications do not contaminate the environment or get into the wrong hands is to safely dispose of them through the Medication Disposal Program.
Feel free to share the following flyer at your place of business to spread awareness about the importance of safely disposing of your medications.
Use one of four Medication disposal boxes located throughout the Sherburne County Area
Household prescription, over-the-counter, and pet medication accepted, including pills, liquids, and lotions.
The following items will not be accepted:
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Institutional items (nursing homes, care centers, clinics, daycares)
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Non-drug items (glucose test meters, blood pressure equipment)
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Sharps or pointed items (needles, syringes, EpiPens, lancets)
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E-cigarettes/vaping devices or materials
Disposing of Sharps or Pointed Items:
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Put sharps in point-first into a puncture-resistant container, like a laundry detergent bottle.
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Tape the lid shut when the container is more than half full.
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Label the container "SHARPS - DO NOT RECYCLE" directly on the front.
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Properly dispose of sharps
Sharps disposal options:
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Use home needle-destruction devices
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Use mail-back disposal programs
If none of the above options are accessible, you can dispose of your sharps in the trash, only if the above disposal steps are followed.
(Source: MN Pollution Control Agency)
