National Prescription Drug Takeback Day

When:

October 22, 2016: 10:00AM to 2:00PM

In a first-of-its-kind study in 2015, working with Cornell University, Riverkeeper documented dozens of compounds, including pharmaceuticals, in the Hudson River Estuary. Numbers and levels of pharmaceuticals were higher near the outfalls of wastewater treatment plants, presumably both because we excrete many of the medicines we ingest, and because many people flush unused medications.

While it’s important to keep unused medications out of the hands of those who might abuse them, flushing is not a solution. National Prescription Drug Takeback Day is a chance to get rid of your unused medications responsibly.

Search the DEA website for a collection point near you. There are dozens in the Hudson River Watershed.

If you can’t take part on National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, find a permanent pharmaceutical drop-box location at this Department of Health website.

Spread the word: If you have unused medications, take them to a drop-box or collection event. Don’t flush!