Take Back Programs Aim to Keep Drugs Out of Water

We all have left over prescriptions in our medicine cabinets, most of them out of date. So what do we do if we want to get rid of them?

Sonoma County has been working on developing a joint program to set up spots where residents can recycle their old prescriptions instead of throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, which is not recommended since it contaminates soil or waterways.

Called the Safe Medicine Disposal Program, it's a countywide effort that provides convenient drop off locations for unused pills. Since its start in 2008, the number of pills turned in has grown, accepting 7,475 pounds last year, according to Heather Johnson, Santa Rosa Environmental Compliance Inspector.

In Petaluma, Jamil Harb of  advises that his take back program is currently processing 100 pounds a month.

In addition,  is setting up a disposal site program at two public building locations, one to serve the western sections of the community and one to serve the eastern portions.

"Our goal is to have the full-time program in place by the end of the summer in time to be announced in the fall newsletter," said Lena Cox, environmental compliance manager for the department.

The Department recently sponsored a take back program at the Petaluma Senior Center that recovered 114 pounds in one day.

According to the Centers For Disease Control, almost 50 percent of the US population has taken at least one prescription drug in the last month. In the United States, 2.34 billion prescriptions are issued annually.