At‑home drug disposal products can play an important role in keeping rural Coloradans safe
Some Coloradans have a drug problem: old prescription medications clogging their medicine cabinets.
Rural Coloradans are increasingly concerned about safely disposing of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications to keep children and pets safe and prevent environmental contamination. The Food and Drug Administration recommends either taking drugs to a take-back location or mailing them via a prepaid envelope. In Colorado, the state-funded Medication and Sharps Takeback program has collected a significant amount of drugs since 2016.
Over 300 drop-off sites across the state and national take-back events provide other disposal options. However, these programs may not be easily accessible in rural areas. At-home disposal products can serve as a viable alternative. Testing popular brands like the Pill Terminator, Deterra Drug Deactivation System, and NarcX+ disposal system revealed varying levels of effectiveness.
While the Pill Terminator and Deterra system showed promise in degrading medications when warm water was used, both had some limitations. The NarcX+ system required more time for complete degradation of tablets. Despite these challenges, at-home disposal products can play a crucial role in keeping rural Coloradans safe when used correctly.
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