Safe Homes ~ How to Dispose of Your Unwanted Prescriptions in Oklahoma

By
Real Estate Agent with Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 141871

Safe Homes ~ How to Dispose of Your Unwanted Prescriptions in Oklahoma

The subject of homes is a constant discussion topic for real estate agents but this morning I want to talk to you about another topic with "homes" in it. 

Safe Homes

One of the ways to help keep our homes safe for those that live in it and those visiting is to properly dispose of all unused unwanted unneeded medications. 

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control coordinates a program called "Safe Trips for Scripts".  They provide drop boxes in local law enforcement agencies across the state that you can drop your unused, unwanted, unneeded medications into for safe disposal. You can locate a dropbox near you by Clicking here

If you do not have a drop box near you, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs Control suggests disposing of your unused unwanted unneeded drugs by mixing them with something unpalatable in a zip lock bag. Suggestions are kitty litter or used coffee grounds.  Then throwing the zip lock bag into the garbage. 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are some medications that in some cases, may be fatal with just one dose if they are taken by anyone other than the patient. Those medications  should be flushed down the sink or toilet as soon as they are no longer needed, and when they cannot be disposed of through a medication drop box. A list of those medications can be found  here. 

There are probably permanent drop boxes for disposing of medications near you, regardless of what state you live in. The National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day kicked these programs off.  The Product Stewardship Institute has a list of all states with links to find where your drop box would be located.  Our local dropbox is at the McCurtain County Sheriff's Department. 

 

There are many areas of home safety that come up at times for real estate agents, especially during home inspections but drug safety is not one that I've had come up during those inspections.  It is something that we all need to think about since it has nothing to do with possibly selling or buying a home and everything to do with just day to day life for all of us...  Most of us  have unused unneeded unwanted prescriptions in our homes.  Let's dispose of those and do it in the correct way to keep our homes safe!

 

 

 

Thinking of Buying or Selling your home.  I'm the person you want to talk to!  Call us at Integrity Real Estate Services ~ Judi 580-212-5946

Comments (13)

Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Judi. Always been a fan of the "flush" when pills were no longer necessary. Enjoy your day!

Sep 14, 2019 06:07 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Oh this is a serious one. And unforntunately, the flush idea is a lousy one. That's how drugs end up in our watersheds...the best way is to dispose of them is at a designated site..the used kitty litter in a baggie idea is a last resort. This method still has the potential for medicines through "garbage juice" to find their way into local waterways. 

Sep 14, 2019 06:48 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Judi... such an important message. I always tell my sellers to be sure to hide any medications when their homes are on sale. Increasingly people are more conscious of how to properly dispose of medications. In the "old" days I think many of us just flushed them down the toilet.

Sep 14, 2019 06:55 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Judi good advice and procedure to share.  Most people do not think about this.

Sep 14, 2019 12:18 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Judi this is a big deal and we all need to pay more attention to it.  I've never left medications out of easily found if there will be people coming into the home, such as cleaners, workers etc. You just never know if a new hire is looking for drugs or any kind.  A take back program would the easiest - say Walgreens or CVS as there is one on every corner in my town.

Sep 14, 2019 12:52 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Great zip lock idea for people to consider if no other disposal is available.

Sep 15, 2019 04:36 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

1~Judi Barrett - What a great service you are providing to the public about proper disposal of medicine and prescription drugs. The content for this post  is educational, informative, and a best practice for all home owners. Too often when people are moving, they get too busy and tired and in the end they just throw things out. There is a proper way to dispose of prescription drugs and you tackled this topic like a Pro!

Sep 15, 2019 09:42 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

1~Judi Barrett - Congratulations! You are being honored and FEATUED in Bananatude for an outstanding post on "Safe Homes ~ How to Dispose of Your Unwanted Prescriptions in Oklahoma."

Sep 15, 2019 09:46 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Judi,
This is an important issue. When my husband passed away, hospice suggested I mix all the unused meds in dirt and wet it to make it mud.  Noone is going to eat that! 

Sep 22, 2019 10:07 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Judi - this is important to stop the drug abuse epidemic.  We have drop off points and this should be published in more communities.

Sep 28, 2019 03:52 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, 1~Judi Barrett properly disposing of drugs should have a priority in every household..... and I just read one method I did not know about...

Sep 28, 2019 04:14 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Because Florida fresh water generally comes from the aquifer system "down the drain" is not a good solution for disposing of medicines. I take them to a dropoff location and have to trust that they're getting rid of them properly.

Sep 28, 2019 06:52 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon 1~Judi Barrett ,

I'm so glad to see Carol Williams featured your post in her Second Chance Saturday post as I missed it. Important topic thank you for sharing.

Sep 28, 2019 09:29 AM