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WEST BATH - We know that old medicine is a safety hazard. All too often, small children get hold of the medication and require an emergency trip to the hospital. Drugs kept and taken later are dangerous, even if taken for the same or similar condition. Old drugs lose their potency in some cases, but in others they degrade into other, more toxic substances over time.
In addition, disposing of drugs is a serious environmental issue. One of the ways that people dispose of old and outdated medicines is to flush it, which takes these medications into our water treatment facility. Certain kinds of substances pass through treatment almost completely, and end up at the end of the wastewater treatment process ... that is, back in our drinking water supply if we use city water, and leached into the groundwater if we use well water.
If the drugs are thrown away, there is also the potential of rainwater carrying drugs into either the groundwater or into rivers, streams and springs.
On Friday, November 2, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., several locations in our area will be designated as community collection points for old medications.
The collection points are:
• West Bath Fire Department on State Road
• Richmond Senior Center on Front Street
• Parkview Adventist Medical Center on Maine Street in Brunswick
• The Highlands on Elm Street in Topsham
Please do not bring the drugs before 10 a.m. or leave them after 2 p.m.
Drugs accepted include all prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary drugs. All drugs should be in their original containers with labels. Pills, ointments, and drops are welcome. Please do not bring needles to the collection sites.
For more information, contact Healthline at 373-6585.
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