To address the environmental impact of improper drug disposal on the environment, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Antonovich directing County departments to explore the feasibility of expanding the "No Drugs Down the Drain" program countywide.

 

The "No Drugs Down the Drain" program educates residents to the potential dangers of various chemicals in medications entering surface waters and negatively impacting our environment.  Studies have determined that the presence of medications in surface waters interferes with growth and reproduction in aquatic organisms.

 

The recommended method of disposing unused or expired medications is to take them to the County wide household hazardous waste collection centers.

 

For more information on the year-round collection events, please call (800) 238-0173 or (888) CLEAN-LA.

 

Alternately, residents may put them in sturdy, secure and tightly sealed plastic containers which are treated (preferably with water, dirt, ashes, or salt) and put them in a trash can where children and animals can’t reach the medications. In addition, patient’s personal information should be removed from the container to ensure privacy.

 

Commercial pharmacies are also encouraged to utilize a safe and environmentally sound method of drug disposal.