DEQ - Medication disposal event scheduled for Capitol lawn

Medication disposal event scheduled for Capitol lawn

Sept. 9, 2013 13-0909

For More Information:
Christine Grossman, 517-373-0590, grossmanc@michigan.gov
Brad Wurfel, 517-284-6713, wurfelb@michigan.gov

The DEQ today announced a Sept. 10 event at the Capitol building in Lansing, inviting the public to bring unused medications for proper disposal.

The fourth-annual Medication Disposal Event at the Capitol includes professionals from the Michigan Pharmacists Association and law enforcement officers on the south Capitol lawn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to collect unused medications for safe disposal. This includes controlled substance medications and narcotics. For a list of what will and will not be accepted, visit http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/medicationdisposal.

MPA is partnering with the DEQ to increase public awareness about the importance of proper disposal of pharmaceuticals. DEQ Director Dan Wyant will speak at 11 a.m. about the impact discarded medications have on our environment.

Since the 1970s, low levels of pharmaceuticals have been detected in Michigan's surface water and groundwater, which are the sources for drinking water. While there are no known health risks to people at the low levels detected, the presence of pharmaceutical pollution is an emerging concern because more and more medicines are prescribed each year.

For information on other residential collection options, see the Remedy for Residential Drug Disposal brochure. For pharmaceutical waste disposal resources for health care providers, go to www.michigan.gov/deqhealthcare and select Waste Health Care Resources.