Discard Outdated or Unused Medications with Cat Litter

 

That's right ... the government is going to suggest that patients who use

addictive pain killers and prescriptions dispose of them in cat litter rather

than flush them or throw them away in the garbage, where someone may

sort through your garbage and obtain them.  They are also worried about

people who visit your house, relatives and friends, and might take old

drugs and "misuse" them. 

What's that?                

Don't have a cat? 

Well, it's suggested you try mixing them with coffee grounds, saw dust, or, get this,

“dog poop."  That's right.  Anything to make them "yucky" so someone

who may want  to misuse them won't want to take them.

Sorry ... I just had a flashback of the " Cheech and Chong movie "Up in Smoke" when the guys are sitting in the car both sharing a large joint (which Chong's character says is made with "labrador," marijuana and dog [poop], due to his dog having eaten his stash)."  Anyway ...

Besides that, they're finding too many antibiotics, hormones, etc. in our

waterways which potentially can cause health problems and (I'll say it) environmental problems, such as fish abnormalities. 

Here are some tips from the FEDS on disposal of leftover meds:

• Don't flush unused drugs down the toilet, unless they're one of a handful that expressly advises that on the prescription label.


• Crush or dissolve leftover medicine in a little water. Then mix with a yucky substance - kitty litter, coffee grounds, even dog waste - in a sealed plastic bag or other unmarked container, and put in the trash. That renders the drug unpalatable if a child, animal or drug abuser rummages through the trash.


• Remove and destroy the prescription label and any other personal identifying information from the original drug container before throwing it away.


• An alternative is to call pharmacies or local environmental or hazardous waste collection sites, to see if they run drug "take-back" programs.


• Some medicines should never be left over. Antibiotics in particular come in the exact quantity you're supposed to take. Stop before they're gone and your infection can return, possibly in a harder-to-treat form.

Sources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


So, that’s the “poop” on the new government recommendations.

What do you think? 

Will you be buying some cat litter? 

Saving dog poop? 

Maybe I’ll just make sure I do what the bottle says

and be sure I finish all of the drug as directed.

"Unglued?”   

Me?  Just about the dog poop ... 

Here is the full article from msnbc.com  Don’t flush leftover meds — mix with kitty litter