Journal Star
Posted Sep 23, 2010 @ 06:50 PM
PEORIA — More than 130,000 pounds of unwanted medications have been kept out of central Illinois' water supply thanks to a model pharmaceutical disposal program.
Pontiac High School environmental teacher Paul Ritter and his students initiated "P2D2" several years ago as a safe way to dispose of unwanted drugs. Drop boxes similar to mail boxes are placed in a secure location, such as a police station, where people can leave their unused medicines. The collected drugs are incinerated.
"This program gives residents an alternative to flushing the medications, which can be harmful to our water sources," Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water Co., said in a prepared statement. "By properly disposing of unwanted medications we are helping to protect our water supply for future generations."
Illinois American has helped set up 12 P2D2-based programs, including sites in Peoria, Bartonville, Chillicothe, Pekin and Peoria Heights. The newest program will open in Alton next Tuesday; more programs are expected to start before year's end.
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