Drug disposal program more than class project

It’s not often that students get to see something that started as a class project wind up inspiring new state laws. But Pontiac Township High School students — past and present — can point to recently signed Illinois laws that show you don’t even have to be voting age to make a difference. The Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program — P2D2 for short— was begun about four years ago with two goals: keeping expired and unwanted drugs out of our water supplies and out of the hands of those who would abuse them. In addition to Illinois, communities in 15 other states have some form of P2D2, providing places where people can dispose of drugs without the risk of contaminating drinking supplies by flushing them down the toilet and throwing them in the garbage where animals — or people — might get to them. But Illinois is the first state to enact a law to create a special fund to support such programs. Students from Pontiac and from Antioch High School helped lobby for the legislation to bolster this program. Under House Bill 2056, a $20 fee will be tacked on to other fines paid for certain drug convictions, with the money going into a Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Fund. Money from the fund will be used for grants to help police agencies and others in the“collection, transportation and incineration of pharmaceuticals from residential sources.” A companion bill, House Bill 3090, authorizes municipalities to have suitable containers displayed in city halls or police departments for people to drop off unwanted drugs. Both bills take effect Jan. 1. We’re not clear why specific legislation was needed to authorize use of these containers, and we’re glad many municipalities did not wait for a special fund before participating in drug collection programs — either on an annual or ongoing basis. But the bills signed last week by Gov. Pat Quinn should encourage more communities to get involved. You can find out more about P2D2, including the location of drop off facilities, at www.p2d2program.org. The Bloomington and Normal police departments, as well as several pharmacies in the Twin Cities, are P2D2 drop-off locations. Controlled substances should be taken to police department sites. We commend the students and their teachers for their long-term involvement in this project. And we encourage everyone to take advantage of this program to properly dispose of medications.