A new pharmaceutical disposal bin has been located at Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho’s office in Brentwood to serve Far East County residents. In partnership with Delta Diablo and the California Product Stewardship Council, Supervisor Piepho is hosting one of three new drop sites, bringing five locations to East County residents who can safety dispose of their unwanted medicines.
Supervisor Mary Piepho shows off a new pharmaceutical disposal bin in her Brentwood, CA office.
“I am a proud supporter of the ‘Don’t Rush to Flush’ program,” said Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho. “It is critical that we all do our part to prevent prescription medicines from falling into the wrong hands and to keep them from polluting our precious water resources. I have been working for the past several years to bring greater visibility to the need for safe disposal so I am pleased my office can provide this service to area residents.
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approximately $275.9 billion in prescription drugs will be prescribed in the U.S in 2014, reaching $379.9 billion by 2020. A recent report estimated that 10% to 33% of prescribed medicines go unused.
Traditionally consumers have disposed of their excess medications by flushing them down the toilet resulting in polluted waterways or they have placed them in the trash or just retained them in their home creating access for those with substance abuse disorders and for other unintended uses.
Choosing to bring your unwanted medicines for safe disposal not only keeps our waterways clean, it also supports those with substance abuse disorders leading to healthier, more productive lives and stronger communities.
Additional safe disposal bins in East County can be found at:
Brighter Beginnings Family Health Clinic
2213 Buchanan Rd. Ste 103 in Antioch
Office of Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho
3361 Walnut Blvd. #140 in Brentwood
City of Pittsburg Police Department
65 Civic Ave. in Pittsburg
Visit www.dontrushtoflush.org or follow us on https://www.facebook.com/DontRushToFlush for directions to the nearest disposal site and announcements on new locations.
For additional assistance and information please contact Amanda Roa with Delta Diablo at 925-756-1940.
