Drug Drop Day

Challenge:

he Drug Enforcement Agency classifies some medications as controlled substances due to their potential for abuse or misuse. The regulations stipulate that once controlled substances have been dispensed to the end-user, they can only be handled by law enforcement personnel (ODC, 2007). This rule means that many collection programs must exclude controlled substances, and this creates confusion among the public because most people do not know the regulations and/or are unaware of which substances are controlled. While some programs have sought waivers in order collect both uncontrolled and controlled medications, it is important to acknowledge that this issue has been and continues to be an important obstacle when it comes to establishing pharmaceutical disposal programs.

Objectives/Benefits of the Drug Drop Day are:

1. To promote the opportunity for the public to dispose of unwanted/expired prescription medications in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner at convenient locations in communities throughout the Niagara Region.

2. To describe the process for collection, identification, securing and destroying reclaimed medications.

3. To raise public awareness of the various potential public safety and environmental threats posed by inappropriate use, storage and disposal of these medications.

4. To demonstrate effective cross-jurisdictional partnerships and third-party support

Is implementation feasible?

Yes. Niagara region and Wisconsin communites have successful implemented this plan. Cost is low and residents barely need to pay for that.

Will we run into resistance?

No. because there is no cost for residences and the corporation of Delta doesn’t need to invest a lot of money to implement this program. Benefits can be achieved right away.

Limitation/注意事项/factors influence the decision

-Have to evaluate whether an incinerator or landfill is permitted to handle medications

-There is a growing concern about theft.

-Precautions...