WIMBERLEY — Wimberley ISD Health Services, in partnership with the Hays County Sheriff’s Department Constables and Keep Wimberley Beautiful, will host a drive-thru for all unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs on Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central Office parking lot on 951 FM 2325. The collection does not include liquids, syringes and injectables. Participants will not even have to step out of their vehicles. Look for the Wimberley ISD marquee between the Subway and the traffic light at Carney Lane and pull in to drop off your unwanted medications.
“For the safety of your family and the environment, think twice before storing it, flushing it or throwing it out with the trash,” said Chelsea Kelley, MSN, RN, Danforth Junior High School nurse. “We hope that as local residents are out and about this weekend, they will include this important task on their to-do list,” she added.
There are some important facts from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to keep top of mind when considering how to dispose of unwanted medication:
- Every 14 minutes, an American dies from an unintentional drug overdose.
- Seven out of 10 people who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or family members.
- Among children, emergency room visits for accidental drug poisonings are twice as common as poisonings for other household products (cleaning products).
- Flushing medicine leads to contamination of the water supply as wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds.
- Studies have found antibiotics, mood stabilizers, anti-seizure medications and hormones in drinking water across the United States.
- The toxic effects on marine life are well-documented and include serious harm to fish populations.
The goal is to encourage local residents to avoid flushing medications and instead, empty their medicine cabinet in a safe, healthy and more environmentally responsible way.
The drug take-back collection drive helps community members have a positive impact on public health and the environment in a safe, simple and free-of-charge way with no questions asked.
