The importance of safely disposing of opioids cannot be overstated, and one of the best ways to do so is to participate in drug take-back programs or drop them off at authorized collection sites and boxes.
There will be times when these methods aren’t an option, so, as the very last resort, you can consider carefully disposing of the drugs at home by either flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the household trash with special considerations in mind.
In this article, we explore the best methods of disposal in great detail, so read on.
The Importance of Safely Disposing of Opioids
It’s vital to safely dispose of opioids once you no longer need them because this helps you prevent accidents and drug misuse.
For starters, children getting their hands on opioids is a significant reason behind poisoning emergencies worldwide. They can quickly get into medicine cabinets or other accessible places and ingest drugs accidentally, which would result in a trip to the emergency room.
According to the results from a cross-sectional study of four-year-olds, “the storage of medicines in unlocked areas was reported by 80.9% of mothers, and within reach of children for 26.5%.” Moreover, as per some other statistics within this study, children under five years of age tend to be the most vulnerable group.
Likewise, household visitors who might be struggling with opioid addiction can search your home to find the drugs, especially if they know you’ve used them. By leaving the drugs unattended, you might risk inadvertently creating a setback for someone who’s gone through a drug detox and is at risk of relapsing.
How to Safely Dispose of Opioids: 3 Methods Explained
Here are the three safest ways to dispose of opioids:
#1. Drug Take-Back Programs
Drug take-back programs aim to prevent prescription opioid abuse by offering a safe way for citizens to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired opioids. Federal government agencies closely monitor these on the local and state levels.
Moreover, all individuals who decide to use this method to dispose of opioids safely get to do so anonymously and free of charge. All prescription and over-the-counter medication can be accepted, except for intravenous solutions, injectables, and needles.
#2. Authorized Collection Sites
If you have any unused medicine left in your home, you can also drop them off at authorized collection sites. It’s best to check with local law enforcement officials, who can help you find a location closest to you.
Likewise, you can check with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, as they have DEA-authorized collection sites.
#3. Collection Boxes
Collection boxes are permanent and open year-round, and they accept pills and capsules. While none of the locations accept needles or thermometers with mercury, some accept medical creams.
Usually, you can find these boxes in pharmacies, hospitals, and police departments, but it’s best to do your research and find out which community sites in your area can help you safely dispose of opioids.
How to Safely Dispose of Opioids at Home
While it’s always best to use one of the three methods explained above, it’s possible to safely dispose of opioids at home, too. For example, if someone you love is coming home from an opioid treatment, you can help them stay on the right track by:
- Flushing opioids: Some opioids can be particularly harmful if ingested by children or pets, so it’s safest to flush them. The complete list of the drugs that are supposed to be disposed of this way is available on the official website of the Food and Drug Administration.
Disposing of opioids in the household trash: You can throw the majority of non-flush opioids in your household trash, except those that are on the FDA flush list.
Safety Precautions You Should Be Aware of When Disposing of Opioids
There are some safety precautions you should be aware of when disposing of opioids at home, and they mostly pertain to individuals who decide to throw them in household trash.
First, it’s advisable to take all opioids out of their original container and mix them with something unappealing, such as coffee grounds or used kitty litter. This is especially important if you have kids, as it will make the mixture unattractive to them. Secondly, you should put the mixture in something you can close—such as a Ziploc bag—and throw it in the garbage. Before you take the trash that contains empty medicine bottles or packaging out of your home, make sure to scratch out all identifying information on the prescription drug so that it’s unreadable. This will protect your privacy and personal health information.
