PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: September 10, 2010
CONTACT: Brandon Kernen (603) 271-0660, New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services
Karin Eckel (603) 271-3671, Department of Justice
James M. Queenan, R.Ph. (603) 271-7842, New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy
Nancy Jackson-Reno, (603) 271-4972, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, NH
Department of Health & Human Services
Marc Beaudoin, (603) 223-8678-, NH Department of Safety
Leo E. Ducey (603) 628-7411, United States Drug Enforcement Administration
www.nh.gov/medsafety
United States Drug Enforcement Administration is Sponsoring a
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on September 25, 2010 &
Granite State Poll Assesses Medicine Disposal Practices in New Hampshire
Homes
Concord, NH - The State of New Hampshire is partnering with the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration, substance abuse industry and poison prevention organizations to
promote proper storage and disposal of medicine in the home. The number of deaths caused by
drug use has quadrupled over the last fifteen years in New Hampshire. Ongoing research has
identified the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in water resources in some areas of the nation and
are suspected to have caused adverse impacts to aquatic life in certain water bodies.
A recent poll by the Granite State Survey Center revealed that approximately 30 percent of New
Hampshire residents store medicine that is unlikely to be used within the next six months. The
survey also revealed that the majority of respondents do not consider drug abuse, accidental
poisoning or contamination of water resources when they dispose of medicine.
The health of many New Hampshire’s citizens benefit from the appropriate use of over-thecounter and prescription drugs. However, when drugs are not stored safely, diverted to
unauthorized users or disposed of in an improper manner, serious problems such as drug abuse,
accidental drug poisoning and/or contamination of the State’s water resources can occur. In order
to prevent drug abuse, accidental poisonings and protect the environment, the following drug
disposal guideline for households has been developed.
Help Prevent Pollution, Poisonings and Drug Abuse!
Dispose of your Unneeded Medication – 6 Steps to
Safety
1) Pour medicine into a sealable plastic bag.
2) If the medicine is a solid, add a small amount of water
to dissolve it.
3) Add any undesirable substance (such as dirt, coffee grounds or kitty litter) to the liquid
medicine in the plastic bag.
4) Seal the bag and immediately dispose of it in the trash for regular pick-up.
5) Use marker to black out any personal contact information on the empty medicine container
prior to disposing of it in the trash.
6) For more information, consult www.nh.gov/medsafety.
Medicine collection events staffed by law enforcement, if readily available, are also good options
for safely disposing of unwanted medicine. The United States Drug Enforcement
Administration is sponsoring a National Drug Collection Day on September 25, 2010.
Collection sites will be posted on www.dea.gov as they are established between now and
September 25, 2010. Check their website frequently for updates.
NEVER flush medicine down the toilet unless accompanying product information instructs
otherwise. Don't keep unneeded medications in the home.
In case of an accidental poisoning or for information about your medication, call the poison
center at 1-800-222-1222.