Some Coloradans have a drug problem: old prescription medications clogging their medicine cabinets.

Disposing of unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs is important to protect children and teens from accidental or unintentional exposure. Eliminating medications properly is also important to prevent contamination of vegetation, aquatic life and water supplies.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends disposing of drugs by dropping them off at a take-back location or by mailing them using a prepaid envelope that is delivered to a facility where the drugs are incinerated. These envelopes are available at some pharmacies and online.

In Colorado, the state-funded Medication and Sharps Takeback program has collected over 400,000 pounds – roughly 181 metric tons – of drugs since its inception in 2016. Medications can be dropped off at over 300 state-funded or independent drop-off sites across the state.

National take-back events in April and October each year are another way to properly dispose of medications. The drugs collected are incinerated and become irretrievable, helping keep the public and environment safe.

I am a professor of pharmacy with a focus on older adults and medication safety. For over a decade, I have co-chaired the Safe Disposal work group for the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention.

Although these national and statewide programs make an important difference, there are still gaps – especially for Coloradans who live in rural communities. Let’s look at the different options these consumers........

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