Frequently Asked Questions

When over-the-counter or prescription medications are no longer needed, they should be removed from the home. Unused medications can fall into the hands of small children and cause accidental poisoning. More than one million children under age 5 are treated each year in the United States for poisoning caused by household chemicals and medications. Older children and teens may be tempted to experiment with easily available medications, causing harm to themselves or their friends. Nationally, one in five teens has reported abusing prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them.

Medication disposal should be done in a manner that minimizes the chance of misuse and also protects the environment. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can cause pollution of lakes, streams and water supplies. The project contractor, Curbside Inc., will dispose of collected medications by hazardous waste incineration, offering the highest degree of environmental protection.

Simply gather up your unused, unwanted and expired medications, take them to one of the project locations and drop them into the box. Review the posted lists of medications and materials that are, or are not, accepted. Please take the time to fill out and mail in one of the available survey cards. Responses will help gauge project success.

It is important to follow the instructions posted at each collection box. Due to strict Drug Enforcement Administration regulations governing the disposal of narcotics and other controlled substances, such medications cannot be deposited in project boxes. Consult the posted list of prohibited controlled substances. If you are still unsure, ask your pharmacist if any of your prescribed medications are considered controlled substances.

• Prescription medications (except for narcotics or controlled substances)

• Over-the-counter medications

• Medication samples

• Pet medications

• Vitamins

• Liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers

• Medicated ointments and lotions

• Inhalers

• Narcotics and other controlled substances

• Bloody or infectious waste

• Personal care products

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Aerosol cans

• Thermometers

• IV bags

• Needles and other sharps

• Plastic shopping bags

• Empty containers

• Business waste

US DEA National Drug Take Back Initiative (April 27th, 2013)

Call or visit the website of your city or county government to see if it is planning a local program or event for the collection of narcotics or other controlled substances. Communities often partner with local law enforcement agencies to collect, catalogue and incinerate narcotics and controlled substances in compliance with federal regulations.

If a local program or event is not available for the collection of narcotics and other controlled substances, do not flush! Instead, dispose of the medications in the trash as follows:

1. Take unused, unneeded or expired medicines out of their original containers. Mix them with an undesirable substance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds.

2. Remove or destroy all identifying personal information, including prescription number, on the empty medicine container labels. You can destroy personal information by covering it with black permanent marker or scratching it off.

3. Wrap the medication mixture and the empty containers in newspaper to help conceal them and place them in the trash.

4. Be sure to keep children or pets away from the trash before it is picked up and hauled away.

The project is intended to last through the year 2013. However, the project could run for a longer, or shorter, period of time depending upon availability of operating funds. 

Please call 303-692-2903 or email cdphe.hmmedtakeback@state.co.us if you have questions or would like more information.