Save A Star is helping initiate Drug Disposal Programs in communities across the United States. The goal of this program is to dispose of 
prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medications in an environmentally safe way, but most importantly, to keep drugs out of the hands of young children and those who might use drugs for recreational purposes.
Four out of five patients leave their doctor's offices with at least 1 prescription. When doctors discontinue medications, unused portions sit in medicine cabinets. When consumers buy over-the-counter drugs in large quantities, they often expire.
Each year nearly 700,000 emergency room visits were attributed to prescription drug overdoses. Because chemicals and compounds react with each other, taking certain medications together often proves deadly. An estimated 48 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in their lifetime.
* Everyday 2500 teens use prescription drugs for non-medical use for the first time.
*Propelled by an increase in prescription drug overdoses, drug deaths have doubled in the last decade and now outnumber traffic fatalities in the United States.
*Prescription pills are killing more of our youth today than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and inhalants combined.
How this program works:
Collection boxes are installed only in secure law enforcement facilities for the consumer disposal and subsequent incineration of medications. These boxes are provided at no charge to participating communities with approximate populations greater than 10,000. The boxes are shipped with labels affixed that describe acceptable and non-acceptable drugs for disposal.
Accepted Drugs include:
- Prescription medications
- Controlled substances
- All over-the-counter medications
- Medication samples
- Pet Medications
- Vitamins & Supplements
- Medicated ointments, lotions, creams, and oils
- Liquid medication in leak-proof containers
- Homeopathic Remedies
Not Accepted:
- Needles/sharps
- Syringes with needles
- Thermometers
- IV bags
- Bloody or infectious waste
- Personal care products
- Empty containers
- Hydrogen peroxide
