U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) announced last week that their legislation to allow the safe disposal of medications has passed Congress and will be sent to the President to be signed into law.  The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, introduced in May, will provide consumers with safe and responsible ways to dispose of unused controlled substances.  Last Saturday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration held its first-ever nationwide prescription drug take-back day at 3,400 sites in all 50 states, allowing individuals to turn in their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction.

“Consumers know that keeping unwanted prescription drugs in their homes increases the risk of abuse, particularly among young people, but current law provides them with few alternatives,” Klobuchar said.  “As we saw last weekend at the National Drug Take-Back Day, people want to get rid of their unused drugs, and with this new law we make it easier for them to do this.”

“I am pleased that Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, which is a common-sense, cost-free piece of legislation that empowers states and private entities to institute responsible drug take-back programs—something that federal law currently prohibits,” Cornyn said.  “The effects of this law will be significant and substantial, reducing the likelihood that unused medication will be diverted by drug abusers.”

“Prescription drug abuse is America's fastest-growing drug problem, and one largely fed by an unlikely source – Americans' medicine cabinets,” said Gil Kerlikowske, National Drug Control Policy Director.  “The passage of the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 will save lives by providing patients with safe, environmentally sound ways to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.  I commend Congress on the enactment of this important measure – it represents a significant step forward to reduce drug use and its consequences in America.”

Consumers currently seeking to reduce the amount of expired or otherwise unwanted prescription drugs in their homes have few disposal options.  The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 seeks to reduce that risk by permitting individuals and long-term care facilities to deliver the most dangerous prescription drugs to law enforcement officials and other authorized individuals for safe disposal.  The bill also promotes the development and expansion of drug take-back programs.

Care Providers of Minnesota has been working with the authors to make sure this works for providers of Older Adult Services including Housing, Home Care and Nursing Facilities.  We will continue to work closely at the state level to make sure the implementation works well for our membership.

Toby Pearson
952.851.2480
tpearson@careproviders.org

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