Operation Medicine Cabinet - A Success!
Protecting The Community And Environment With Safe Disposal Of Unused and Expired Medications
Operation Medicine Cabinet held its second metro Denver area collection drive and community awareness event on Saturday October 17th from 9am-1pm, in partnership with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and Brookdale Senior Living. This event provides a venue for the safe disposal of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication.
Medicines left unattended or disposed of carelessly are a danger, whether it's through accidental ingestion, illegal use, identity theft, or contamination of water supplies.
"Operation Medicine Cabinet not only helps educate the public on how proper disposal protects people and pets from accidental ingestion but also prevents illegal use of the drugs or theft of identity from prescription labels," said Kim Dahlquist, owner of Home Instead Senior Care serving South Denver. "The program is also a way to help protect seniors from accidentally using expired medications as well as safeguarding them from the potential for theft. In addition, it protects the environment by providing a safe way to dispose of prescription and unused drugs before they are introduced into landfills or the water supply." Dahlquist said. Studies show that flushing medications down the toilet or sink contaminates water supplies and endangers aquatic life in our rivers and streams; wastewater facilities aren't designed to remove pharmaceutical chemicals. (For Channel 4 video with Dahlquist RE the event in May, visit http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=57118@kcnc.dayport.com)
(For Channel 4 coverage of the event, go to http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=57178@kcnc.dayport.com )
Home Instead Senior Care's Operation Medicine CabinetTM is a trademarked program of Home Instead Senior Care.