12/16/24 - 110 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3ubmzu7a
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Earth Day: PRC, Highmark Sponsor April 30 Drug Take Back Day In Pittsburgh
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The Pennsylvania Resources Council and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield – in collaboration with The Mall at Robinson, UPMC and the Robinson Township Police Department – will sponsor a pharmaceutical collection event at The Mall at Robinson on April 30.
The event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s nationwide Drug Take Back Day.
“Improper disposal, such as flushing unwanted pills down the toilet, poses very serious danger to the environment since most conventional wastewater treatment cannot effectively eliminate pharmaceutical compounds,” said David Mazza, PRC’s Regional Director. “Pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, steroids and similar substances also can enter the water if disposed of in household solid waste, where they can leach into the soil of landfills.”
According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time.
“Spring cleaning should include disposing of unwanted and unused prescription medications found in the medicine cabinet,” according to Robinson Township Police Chief Dale Vietmeier. “This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue since studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends via the home medicine cabinet.”
“Highmark encourages and advocates responsible use and disposal of medicine,” said Anne Jacques, Highmark’s vice president of pharmacy affairs. “The Pennsylvania Resources Council’s ‘Drug Take Back’ program not only helps to increase public awareness about the dangers of improper drug use and disposal, but its purpose also benefits the health and safety of our environment, something that impacts the whole community.”
For more information, visit PRC’s Zero Waste Pittsburgh website or call PRC at 412-488-7452.
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4/11/2011 |
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