(Madera, California) – Valley Children’s has launched an initiative to keep harmful and unused medications out of reach for children by providing a safe place for disposal. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. With limited medication take-back programs in the Central Valley, Valley Children’s Hospital is proud to have a new public medication disposal bin designated by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Many people keep bottles of unused and sometimes expired medications that are no longer needed. These medications could cause harm if they are taken by others, especially children. Additionally, flushing them down the drain or toilet contributes to environmental pollution.
“Medication disposal programs are designed to help prevent prescription drug abuse, keep the water supply clean and our kids safe from accidental ingestions, while encouraging responsible destruction of prescription medications,” says Valley Children’s Pharmacy Director Dr. Melissa Chase. “With this new location, our patients, families and the general public will have a safe and convenient way to dispose of their unused medications.”
Valley Children’s medication disposal bin is located at the Imaging entrance of the hospital and is accessible to the public during normal business hours. Valley Children’s security personnel monitor the bin, which the community can use to safely dispose of prescriptions (schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled substances), liquids with tight caps, ointments/lotions, pet medications, prescription patches and over-the-counter substances.
“Properly disposing of unwanted, expired or leftover medication is one more way to keep our kids safe,” adds Dr. Chase.
The purchase of the bin was made possible from the California Drug Take-Back Program and the California Product Stewardship Council and is recognized as a designated controlled substance collection site by DEA. To find more medication disposal bin locations near you, visit takeback.dea.gov.