Carroll County Encourages Residents Not To Rush To Flush

In partnership with local law enforcement agencies, Carroll County’s Medication Disposal program works to ensure that prescription and over-the-counter medications do not reach area waterways and drinking water.

In October 2009, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration approved “Don’t Rush to Flush,” initiated by the Department of Citizen Services and overseen by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. 

Since its inception, more than 700 pounds of medication have been incinerated.

“It takes some time and effort to go to a drop off site but it’s helping to keep our water system clean and pristine for us and future generations,” said Jolene Sullivan, director of Carroll County Department of Citizen Services.

Medications poured down the drain or flushed in toilets end up in waterways and drinking water and wastewater treatment plants cannot remove the chemicals in those medications.

Antibiotics, hormones and contraceptives, antidepressants and pain relievers have been discovered in waterways nationwide and include risks such as damage to unborn children, dangerous mutations in wildlife including the sex reversal in fish or even causing fish to be born with both male and female reproductive organs and the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. 

Carroll County encourages residents to put a stop to this trend by bringing medication, (prescription and over-the-counter), to collection centers located at police stations throughout the county, where they will be disposed of properly.

Please seal liquids in a leak-proof plastic bag. Syringes and needles are not accepted. For more information contact Jolene Sullivan at 410-386-3600 or email at jsullivan@ccg.carr.org.

Drop-off locations are located at:

• Westminster Police Department, 36 Locust St., Westminster
• Taneytown Police Department, 120 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown 
• Sykesville Police Department, 7547 Main St., Sykesville
• Greenmount Satellite Office of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, 2255 Hanover Pike, Greenmount