Are there leftover, unused, or expired medications in your medicine cabinet?

Did you know that over-the-counter and prescription medications can contaminate waterways – rivers, lakes, and groundwater – when flushed, put down the drain, or thrown in the trash? Most water treatment facilities do not have the technology to remove these compounds. Unused medication left in your medicine cabinet can be just as harmful. These medications can fall into the wrong hands – either resulting in drug abuse or accidental poisoning. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. A grandparent’s medication is involved in 38% of child poisoning cases.

Medication disposal is an easy and safe method of keeping medications out of the environment and from falling into the wrong hands. The Nebraska MEDS initiative offers a convenient way to do the right thing – with over 325 pharmacies across the state accepting leftover medications for proper disposal.

Safely dispose of your unused, expired, or leftover medications the right way at Alliance Community Pharmacy at 315 Box Blutte Avenue in Alliance. Alliance Community Pharmacy, as well as Safeway Pharmacy (500 E Third Street), will collect your medications for free – no questions asked.

“Every day is take back day in Nebraska,” said Hallie Schimenti, Project Coordinator for the Nebraska MEDS Initiative. “People can take unused and expired medications back to a MEDS Initiative pharmacy any day of the year. Since the MEDS Initiative went statewide in 2016, over 50,000 pounds of medications have been returned to pharmacies across the state,” Schimenti said.

Be part of the solution and take back your leftovers today. Find other participating pharmacies at www.leftovermeds.com or call the Nebraska Regional Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.