Pharmaceuticals are now detected at low levels in streams, lakes, landfills andsome drinking

water. A recent investigation by the Associated Press documented detectable concentrations of

pharmaceuticals in the drinking water of 46 million Americans. Scientists are beginning to link
pharmaceutical contaminants in surface water to biological effects on the endocrine systems of
freshwater, estuarine and marine species. While there is no direct evidence linking low dose
exposures to negative human health impacts, lab studies are starting to show that very tiny
concentrations of common drugs can affect developing organisms.

Pharmaceuticals are also linked to more acute hazards. In Washington State, accidental
poisonings have increased nearly 400% since 1990 – the vast majority are caused by medicines.

SOURCE – WA DEPT OF HEALTH

As overdose deaths from heroin have dropped, our state has seen a sharp rise in overdoses from
prescription drugs, especially synthetic opiates (e. g., Oxycontin, Vicodin). A chart from King
County illustrates this trend, although the problem may be more pronounced in some rural
counties.
 160

140

120
# of Times Drug Identified

100
Cocaine
Heroin/Op/Morphine
80
Rx Opiate
Depressant
60
Methamphetamine
Rx Stimulant
40 DXM/MDMA/PCP
Alcohol
20

0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Source: Medical Examiner, Public Health & Seattle-King County.

An increasing number of teenagers look to the family medicine cabinet as a convenient source of
recreational drugs, based, in part, on the misconception that legal drugs are safer than illegal.
Recent studies indicate that marijuana is the only recreational drug that is more popular than
prescription pharmaceuticals with today’s teen population.

Some agencies and organizations look to solid waste landfills for disposal of unwanted
medications. Unfortunately, throwing drugs in the garbage can doesn’t entirely eliminate the
poisoning and abuse risks, or avoid environmental contamination. Drugs can end up in the liquid
leachatefrom landfills which is often pumped to sewer treatment plants. Since these plants were
not designed to break down organic compounds like pharmaceuticals, the compounds escape in
the effluent or concentrate in the biosolids.

Many environmentalists and public health officials around the US are considering drug- return
programs as a response to these environmental and public health concerns. In Washington State,
the PH:ARM pilot project (Pharmaceuticals from Households: A Return Mechanism) has
demonstrated the need for and feasibility of a pharmacy based system to collect and properly
destroy unwanted medicines. The pilot is inspired and informed by a British Columbiaprogram
that has been working well for a dozen years. Pilot partners Group Health Cooperative and
Bartell Drugs have provided pharmaceutical collection bins in neighborhood clinics and
pharmacies in 37 locations around Washington State. To date, the pilot has collected over 15,000
pounds of pharmaceutical materials for disposal through high temperature incineration.
Collection site locations and much additional info can be found at the project’s website -http:
//www.medicinereturn.com/ .

Collection Bin Secure Storage Onto the Hazwaste Truck

The PH:ARMpilot’s success has informed and encouraged efforts to create a permanent take-
back program for the entire state. Extrapolating from the British Columbiaprogram, such a
program would collect about 33 tons of pharmaceuticals per year. Legislation will be introduced
in Olympiain the 2009 legislative session, requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to design,
implement and fund a state-wide medicine return program. Organizations and individuals
wanting more information about this legislation can visit the medicinereturn.com website.

Will Perry (206) 263-8477 william.perry@kingcounty.gov