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School Funding Formula Needs to be RevisedJuly 26, 2008 -- Wondering what to do with leftover or expired medications? The Town of Lodi, Town of West Point and the City of Lodi, in cooperation with the Columbia County Departments of Solid Waste and Recycling, the UW-Extension, the Sheriff and the Medical Examiner, are co-sponsoring a kick-off to begin a permanent collection program for unwanted pharmaceuticals. The August 16th kick-off, Saturday, from 8 am to 12 pm, will be located in the parking lot of the Northern Edge/Downtown Café, where the farmer’s market is held, corner of Hwy. 113 and Hwy J. This program gives area residents the opportunity to properly dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals. Residents from the Towns of Lodi and West Point and the City of Lodi, will be able to drop off their expired or unwanted prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and pet medications; such as, pills, capsules, ointments, liquids, sprays, drops, creams, inhalers, vials or any other drug no longer needed for its intended purpose. There is no charge to participate. “We are pleased to co-sponsor the August 16th event. Our hope is that many people will participate by bringing in their unwanted medications so we could safely dispose them,” states Chief Glen Melius of the City of Lodi Police Department. “From the law enforcement standpoint, we do not want people obtaining medications that have been discarded in their trash including curbside pickup or if a dumpster is used such as the case with apartment type housing.” After August 16th a secure drop box will be placed in the Lodi Police Department’s lobby, 142 South Main Street, so residents may continue to drop off unwanted medications year round, during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am. To 3:30 pm (temporarily closed from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm). “More importantly, we’re raising awareness about the potential environmental dangers that can happen when medications are thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet.” adds Bill Casey, Solid Waste and Recycling Director for Columbia County. The proper disposal of unwanted medications is important since traditional ways of managing unwanted household pharmaceuticals, including flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, may pollute the environment and affect everyone’s health, said Joanie Burns from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Water quality is negatively impacted when leftover medications are flushed or poured down the drain because wastewater treatment plants and septic systems don’t process them. Research has shown some aquatic organisms living downstream from wastewater treatment plants are showing signs of developmental and reproductive problems. “There are likely several causes, including people dumping medications down the drain or toilet. We believe an ounce of prevention is important and getting these medications out of the water supply is a good start,” says Kathleen Haas, Columbia County UW-Extension. “Safety is another reason unwanted medications should be properly disposed. The medicine could be a health threat if accidentally ingested by children, guests or pets,” Haas continues. “Prescription medications also include a lot of personal information, including a person’s name, address and phone number, and improper disposal means some of that information could end up in the wrong hands”, said Det. Lt. Roger Brandner, Columbia County Sheriff Department. “Identity theft is a growing problem and one of the main areas where people are putting themselves at risk is through the improper disposal of prescription medications,” he said. Medication being brought to the drop-off sites should be kept in its original container and participants can either black out their name at home or with markers available at the collection site. For more information on Operation Take Back Medication, contact:
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