Falls Memorial Hospital to host medication take-back drive October 23 at the Int’l Mall.More than 100 pounds of medication were collected during last year’s event. International Falls, MN (October 20, 2008) — Community members are invited to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring unwanted or expired medication (prescription and over-the-counter) to the International Mall during Falls Memorial Hospital’s second annual medication take-back drive October 23, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The hospital collected 100 pounds of medication during last year’s event, which was spearheaded by FMH Pharmacists Dick Peterson and Theresa Fox. “Our goal is to raise community awareness about the proper method of disposal for unused medications,” Fox says. Expired or unwanted medications from households have traditionally been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or drain. Although this prevents immediate accidental ingestion, it can cause pollution in wastewater, which has been demonstrated to have adverse affects on fish and other aquatic wildlife. The drive also protects our community. “Of the 100 pounds of medications collected last year, ten were controlled substances, such as narcotics,” Peterson says. “Because of drives like this, those drugs don’t end up in the community where they could be diverted.” Disposing of medications at home: 1. Keep the medication in its original container. The labels may contain safety information, and the caps are typically childproof. Leaving the content information visible, scratch the patient’s name out or cover it with permanent marker. 2. Modify the medications to discourage consumption. For solid medications, such as pills or capsules, add a small amount of water to at least partially dissolve them. For liquid medications, add enough table salt or non-toxic powdered spices, such as turmeric or mustard to make a pungent, unsightly mixture that discourages anyone from eating it. For packages of pills, wrap them in multiple layers or duct or other opaque tape. 3. Seal and conceal. Tape the medication container lid shut with packing or duct tape, place it inside a non-transparent bag or other container such as an empty yogurt or margarine tub to ensure the contents cannot be seen. Do not conceal medicines in food products, because they could be inadvertently consumed by wildlife scavengers. 4. Discard the container in your garbage can. Do no place in the recycling bin. 5. For more information, call the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance at 800-657-3864 or visit www.moea.state.mn.us/hhw.