Oklahoma Safe Medical Disposal
Drug overdose deaths, especially those related to opioids, can be caused by improperly stored or disposed drugs. When medicines are poured down the drain or flushed, they contaminate our environment – including drinking water. Improperly disposed medical sharps (including syringes, pen needles, and lancets) create a health risk for sanitation and wastewater treatment workers and for the public.
Resources
Click here to learn where you can safely dispose of medications in Oklahoma.
Click here to find locations that safely take back sharps in Oklahoma.
Are you a municipality? Download this guide, which provides step-by-step support to Oklahoma municipalities establishing home-generated medical sharps collection programs for residents.
Get the Facts:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, each year approximately 50,000 children under five end up in the emergency room because of accidental medication overdoses – primarily from pharmaceuticals inside the home.
Trashed medications can contaminate our environment as pharmaceutical waste leaches from landfills into municipal wastewater.
Flushed medications are also a problem: In a sample of 139 streams across 30 states, one study found that 80% were contaminated with pharmaceuticals, hormones, or other contaminants.
Some pharmaceuticals are toxic to animals: Fish and other aquatic species are particularly susceptible to endocrine disrupting chemicals, found in many pharmaceuticals.
Learn more about nationwide efforts to better manage pharmaceuticals and medical sharps.
Oklahoma Safe Medical Disposal
The Oklahoma Meds & Sharps Disposal Committee is a coalition focused on a statewide solution for the safe disposal of medical sharps and pharmaceuticals in Oklahoma. OMSDC is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality with facilitation and technical support from the Product Stewardship Institute, a national policy advocate and consulting nonprofit.
Contact Us:
hanz@productstewardship.us
