AHS Views

Your unused medication may be causing illness, and worse, for yourself and others. The drugs could be taken by mistake when they’re no longer needed or prescription painkillers, tranquiliers, sedatives and stimulants can be taken from the medicine cabinet by others in the family and could lead to them needing addiction help.

The White House guidelines on prescription drug disposal getting rid of old medications might offer some protection - they recommend the drugs be surrounded with coffee grains or something that will disguise them in the trash, or that they’re just flushed down the toilet.

Unfortunately, when you follow those guidelines, the drugs end up in our water supply. In fact, medications have been found in the water supplies of 41 million Americans. True, the amounts are small but, it’s still a major concern. How much harm can be caused by the accumulation of these drugs in our system. And can this get someone started on their way to addiction?

If you’d like to get rid of your medication safely, check with your local pharmacist to find out if there are drug disposal facilities available. And if you suspect that someone in your family may have gotten into your stash and might now be dealing with prescription drug addiction or abuse, contact Addiction Help Services to find out what steps you should take next.