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CRD urges proper disposal of meds

When pharmaceutical medications are put down the drain, they have an impact on everyone.
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Tim Collins

VICTORIA NEWS

When pharmaceutical medications are put down the drain, they have an impact on everyone.

That’s the message the Capital Regional District (CRD) wants to get across as part of a new campaign to promote the proper disposal of medications at pharmacies.

While the capital region has one of the highest medications return rates in B.C. with overall awareness of the program having increased 30 per cent in 2007 to 66 per cent in 2011, concerns still remain.

Incorrectly disposed medication can affect the health of marine wildlife but can also affect the health of humans in direct and indirect ways, according to Island Health medical officer Dr. Dee Hoyano.

Unused, old or expired medications are a safety hazard for both children and adults when left in the home as they are a common cause of poisoning. And when they are simply flushed, they raise concerns about the ecosystem we share with other animals, said Hoyano, adding marine wildlife is especially at risk from flushed medications.

The campaign is part of the CRD’s Regional Source Control Program, an initiative under the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan and Saanich Peninsula Liquid Waste Management Plan, dedicated to protecting the marine environment by reducing the contaminants entering local waterways.

The program also informs residents about how to deal with fats, oils, grease and household hazardous waste.

For more information visit crd.bc.ca/cleanwater.

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