Family Health

Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget Your Prescriptions

By Det. Deanna Bradley

Prescription drug abuse and misuse is rising at alarming rates.

And a large number of abused prescription drugs are obtained from the home medicine cabinet.

Many people are unsure of how to properly dispose of unused medicines, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away.

Both present safety and health hazards in our community.

To help prevent accidental and intentional misuse of prescription drugs, and to keep our city safe and healthy by preventing discarded medications from entering our water supply, Fayette

County residents are invited to Med Toss, a free service for residents only (no businesses, please.)

In partnership with the DEA’s National Take Back Day, Med Toss is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine at four sites in Fayette County:

  • Kentucky American Water, 2300 Richmond Road.
  • Dunbar High School,     1600 Man-O-War Blvd.
  • LFUCG Div. of Police – East Sector Roll Call, 1165 Centre Parkway.
  • Wal-Mart –Hamburg (parking lot), 2350 Grey Lag Way.

To prepare for Med Toss, follow these tips:

  • Remove or mark out all personal information on containers.
  • Acceptable items include over-the-counter and prescription medications, veterinary medicines, liquids, pills, inhalers, vitamins and mercury-containing drugs.
  • Unacceptable items include radioactive drugs.

If you are unable to participate and you have medications to dispose of, follow these steps:
1) Crush pills or capsules.
2) Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag and add water or other liquid.
3) Add kitty litter or coffee grounds to make it unappealing to children and pets.
4) Remove personal information on labels and containers before throwing them away.

Med Toss is made possible by: Lexington Division of Police, Lexington Department of Environmental Quality, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky American Water, Mayor’s Alliance on Substance Abuse.

Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, UK College of Pharmacy, Bluegrass PRIDE and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and other community partners.

Det. Deanna Bradley is a prescription drug diversion investigator with the Lexington Division of Police/Narcotics Enforcement Unit. Contact her at dbradley@lexingtonky.gov or 258-3734.