Barnesville Hospital to hold free collection and disposal of unwanted medications Outdated and unused medications pose a danger in the home, and in the community, and when improperly discarded, they contaminate our environment with a dangerous blend of chemicals. To keep our communities safe and to protect our environment, Barnesville Hospital has partnered with the Belmont Jefferson Waste Authority to hold our community's first-ever unwanted medication collection. The pharmaceutical take back program will be held on August 13 from 8 - 11 a.m. in the hospital's East Parking Lot. Over the years people accumulate drugs which are expired or no longer needed. Keeping unwanted medication in your home creates a safety hazard as America's biggest drug problem isn't on the streets it is in our medicine cabinets. Prescription medication abuse is on the rise. Teens who abuse prescription drugs often get them from the homes of friends and family. The only disposal options used to be to flush medications down the drain or throw them in the trash. However, neither of these methods is wise or safe. Research has discovered disturbing facts about pharmaceuticals in our environment. Flushed drugs are much more persistent than anyone realized. Antibiotics, antidepressants, and hormone medications are now found in waterways nationwide because they slip through septic systems and sewage plants untreated. "Barnesville Hospital urges you to store prescription drugs in secure locations and to dispose of them properly," said Joe Jeffries, R.Ph., Pharmacy Director at Barnesville Hospital. "However, it is easy to find you have unwanted medications in your home. Our pharmaceutical take back program is Barnesville Hospital's way to help you safely dispose of those medications you no longer need." The hospital will accept over-the-counter medications as well as prescription drugs and even pet medicines. To ensure patient confidentiality it is recommended the patient's name on prescription drug labels be crossed out; however if possible leave the name of the medication visible. Because the drugs are incinerated, the hospital cannot accept asthma inhalers or drugs in canisters. The hospital will have a pharmacist present and Barnesville Police Department will supervise the collection in order to accept expired controlled substances. This event is open to the public, regardless of where the medications were purchased. However, medications cannot be accepted from businesses such as nursing homes and doctor's offices. In addition, sharps will not be accepted. The pharmaceutical take back program is a great opportunity for area residents to clean out their medicine cabinets, safeguard their home, and preserve our environment for future generations. Please call Barnesville Hospital's pharmacy at 740-425-5108 with any questions regarding this event.
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