By KEN de la BASTIDE
Howard County residents who want to dispose of expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications can do so at events scheduled the next two weekends.
Howard Regional Health System is partnering with the Howard County Recycling District and the Kokomo Police Department in a program called “Eliminate Expired Drugs Environmentally” at the hospital’s main campus Saturday.
The program was started in 2007. During 10 collection days, in excess of 4,000 pounds of pharmaceuticals and related materials have been disposed.
Lisa Holaday, community relations coordinator for Howard Regional, said even controlled substances can be disposed of because an officer with the Kokomo Police Department will be on site.
“There are no questions asked,” Holaday said. “People can dispose of items in a plastic bag.”
She said controlled substance are disposed of by KPD in an incinerator.
Holaday said people are asked to turn in prescription drugs in their original containers if possible to make it easier to identify. She said names can be scratched off or removed from the vials.
Holaday said needles also will be accepted for disposal.
Marsh Pharmacies is teaming up with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Howard County Health Department on March 13 and 14 to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements, veterinary medications and needles in resealable, hard-plastic containers.
Controlled substances, flammable liquids, mixed medications, inhalers and household chemicals will not be accepted.
To be accepted, all items must be fully identifiable and in their original containers.
“Wastewater facilities are not designed to remove pharmaceutical products if they are poured down a drain,” Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner, said in a press release. “The chemicals will be discharged, untreated, into lakes and streams.”
This is the third year for the IDEM program. In the first two years, more than 18,000 prescription bottles were disposed of properly.
• Ken de la Bastide is enterprise editor of the Kokomo Tribune. Contact him at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com or 765-454-8580.
If you go:
Locations for Howard County residents to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications.
• Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m., Howard Regional Health System, in front of the Indiana Surgery Center, 3500 S. LaFountain St.
• March 13 and March 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Marsh Pharmacy.
