Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System
LISA HOBBS
News Editor
A fast, safe and easy way to dispose of unwanted medications may soon be available free of charge.
“Don’t know if you have ever heard about this. I hadn’t heard about it,” said Opioid Abatement Counselor Kee Ford, during an Opioid Abatement Committee meeting. “A company reached out to me because of the opioid abatement stuff. I like this for the mindset of someone who’s afraid to come forward, and they want to get rid of what they have and make a fresh start. I can’t read the future, but I like these for people who want to get rid of medications. They are afraid to come to you guys or go to the police station. This is, basically, an in-home wherever-you-are way to dispose of medication.”
Deterra is a patented, easy-to-use medication disposal system designed to safely and permanently deactivate unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs at home or in clinical settings.
How it works: one, place medication in a Deterra pouch or container; two, add water halfway and wait 30 seconds (foaming may occur); three, seal, shake, and dispose in normal trash.
Deterra uses granular activated carbon to neutralize drugs, making them inert and safe for disposal. Deterra is used to prevent drug misuse, protect children, and reduce environmental contamination from pharmaceuticals. It is available in all sizes, from small personal use or large-scale disposal in healthcare or community programs.
“I like this,” said Kee. “I would like to have some of these for our community.”
Jason Hillis, of Warren County Emergency Management stated, “We’ve discussed with some of our church groups that Kee is getting lined up with the Narcan program. If, perhaps, they have some of these on hand, they can help people dispose of that stuff. A lot of it is they found it in their house and don’t know what to do with it. Maybe one of the kids had it. This is something we could do without having to schedule another event.”
Warren County Sheriff’s Department participates in National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, which offers a safe, free and anonymous way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
Three hundred packages cost approximately $750. Each of those packages contains 90 small bags.
Committee members unanimously approved that purchase.