February 14, 2008

The Department of Environmental Quality has announced it will be hosting an upcoming workshop to provide information and tools for community pharmaceutical collection programs, as well as pharmacies and medical facilities to safely manage unwanted medicines. The workshop, Unwanted Medicine Disposal: Doing it the Right Way, will be held on April 2, at Cleary University, Johnson Center, in Howell.

Due to advances in medicine, more people are using medicines in their daily lives; however, for many reasons, medicines are not always entirely consumed. Disposing of unwanted medicines is becoming an environmental, public safety, and criminal concern with the traditional "flushing" disposal practice no longer deemed acceptable by public health and natural resource experts. Many medicines pass through wastewater treatment facilities and septic systems, ending up in streams, lakes and groundwater throughout the country. In addition, prescription medicines are a major source of poisoning among children and contribute to teen drug abuse.

Workshop presenters will focus on proper disposal methods for medicines, including best practices from solid waste facilities in Michigan and surrounding states/provinces. The registration fee of $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials.

Registration can be done online at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops, click on "Upcoming DEQ Workshops." The registration deadline is March 27. For registration information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278, or e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised February 14, 2008 by Pat Watson