Disposing of prescription drugs

KILLINGWORTH — Improper disposal of prescription medications and over the counter products can lead to many problems for people and the environment. Proper disposal of drugs can prevent them from getting into the hands of people who should not have them. Proper disposal can also prevent the negative and toxic effects on our environment that can take place if the drugs are not disposed of correctly.

The safest way to dispose of prescription medications and OTC products is to bring them to a public drop box. Public drop boxes are available at the following locations: Clinton Police Department, 170 East Main Street, Clinton; Madison Police Department, 9 Campus Drive, Madison; CT State Police, Troop F Barracks, 315 Spencer Plains Road, Westbrook.

Acceptable items for the drop boxes include over-the-counter medications; Prescription medications, medication samples, medications for household pets, medicated lotions or ointments.

Unacceptable items include needles or other “sharps”, hazardous waste, thermometers, personal care products (shampoo, etc.).

Prescription medications and OTC products should never be flushed down the toilet or sink as that can cause water pollution, impact drinking water and have adverse effects on your septic system, fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Another safe disposal option is to put them in the trash:

1. Keep the medication in its original container. To protect privacy and discourage misuse of the prescription, cross out the patient’s name with a permanent maker, duct tape, or remove the label.

2. Modify the medications to discourage consumption.

For solid medications: such as pills or capsules, add a small amount of water to at least partially dissolve them.

For liquid medications: add enough table salt, flour, charcoal, or nontoxic powdered spice, such as turmeric or mustard to make a pungent, unsightly mixture that discourages anyone from eating it.

For blister packs: wrap the blister packages containing pills in multiple layers of duct or other opaque tape.

3. Seal and conceal. Tape the medication container lid shut with packing or duct tape.

Place it inside a non-transparent bag or container such as an empty yogurt or margarine tub to ensure that the contents cannot be seen. Do not conceal medicines in food products because animals could inadvertently consume them.

4. Discard the container in your trash can. Do not put the container in your recycling bin.

These instructions can also be followed for pet medications.

Contact the Killingworth Health Department at 860-663-1765 x223 for any additional information, or reach out to your own town’s health department. Paul Hutcheon, Director of Health, Town of Killingworth, can be reached at p hutch eon@t own of killing worth. com or 860-663-1765, x223. in the summer and fall of 2017, capturing the hearts and attention of many Wethersfield residents and visitors alike. His admirers delighted in his antics, which included stubbornly standing in the road, pecking at cars and chasing mail trucks (and mail carriers).

A Facebook group “Fans of the Wethersfield Turkey” gained more than 5,700 members, and Kevin’s story was covered by all major local news outlets, as well as the Associated Press and NPR. Local photographer George Savic kept fans entertained on social media with his daily photos of Kevin. Books and calendars with Savic’s Kevin photos, as well as coffee mugs, t-shirts and other Kevin memorabilia were sold at the local Old Wethersfield Country Store. Kevin was relocated by the CT DEEP to a state forest in Litchfield County in early December, after he began to range onto busy CT Route 15, posing a significant danger to himself and others.

As part of its mission to preserve Wethersfield’s history and culture, the historical society has mounted this small exhibit of Savic’s photos in response to interest from the community and to help record this slice of the town’s 400 year history. The exhibit includes George Savic’s photos, and a lifesized cutout of Kevin the Turkey created by Oldham Studios.

The exhibit is paired with a food drive to help replenish the shelves at the Wethersfield Food Pantry. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food when they come to see the exhibit. WHS Executive Director Amy Wittorff said, “Many people feel that Kevin the Turkey helped bring the community together during a year rife with division and negativity. Pairing a food drive with the exhibit helps extend that community spirit and accomplish something positive with all of the attention surrounding Kevin.”

The exhibit will be on view at the Robert Allan Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield, through 2018. The Keeney Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.