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Operation Medicine Drop
SAFE FAMILIES - HEALTHY WATER
October 29, 2011 10am-2pm
Berlin, MD Police Department
Ocean City Police Department - 65th St. OC
Worcester County Health Dept. Snow Hill & Pocomoke
Food Lion - West OC
Food Lion - Ocean Pines
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Did you know that sewage treatment plants can not filter out all pharmaceuticals, and discharge hormones, antibiotics and other similar substances into our waterways?
Until recently, consumers have been told to flush unwanted drugs. With technological advances and research, low levels of drugs are being found in our surface waters. Recent research by the U.S. Geological Service now confirms that some drugs pass largely unaltered through our wastewater treatment plants and enter our Bays and other waters.
Recent research has also shown that continuous exposure to low levels of medications has altered the behavior and physiology of fish and aquatic life. Male fish and crabs are being found with eggs or female organs, most likely caused by long term exposure to hormones and other endocrine disruptors.
The preferred method for disposal of unused medications is incineration. While we obviously can't stop the introduction of some pharmaceuticals into our wastewater because of normal bodily functions, we CAN control what happens to medications that are not consumed!
Although the health and environmental consequences are still being studied, we do know that:
· Flushed medications have been found in our bays and rivers
A nationwide study done in 1999 and 2000 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.
· Fish and other aquatic wildlife are being adversely affected
Studies have shown that male fish have been feminized (produced eggs) when exposed to hormones (birth control pills). Other drugs, such as anti-depressants and beta-blockers, reduce fertility or affect spawning in certain aquatic organisms. Even expired medications can cause these effects.
· Drug-resistant bacteria might develop
Long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics might result in the evolution of, or selection for, drug-resistant microbes and bacteria.
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Research has shown that continuous
exposure to low levels of medications
has altered the behavior and physiology
of fish and aquatic life.
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The Coastkeeper, in partnership with the Town of Berlin, MD Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff Department, Ocean City Police Department and Worcester County Health Department, will be hosting our second 'Operation Medicine Drop', a campaign to raise public awareness about a simple way all of us can help keep our waterways and our fish healthier - by not flushing unused medications down the drain.
Please, DON'T FLUSH! Instead, begin to collect your unused medications and bring them to our designated OMD Drop Off Sites on Saturday October 29 between 10am and 2pm. Enforcement officers will be on hand to safely collect your medications and turn them over to DEA officials for proper disposal by incineration.
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Drop off sites:
Ocean City Police Department
65th St. and Coastal Highway, Ocean City
Pocomoke Health Center
400-A Walnut Street
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Berlin Police Department
10 Williams Street
Food Lion -
Manklin Creek Road, Ocean Pines
Food Lion
Rt. 611, West Ocean City
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Get rid of it
Use our disposal bins for medications
DEA enforcement officers will collect the bins at 2pm and properly dispose of all collected meds by properly monitored incineration.
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