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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, It is vital that unused prescription medicine be |
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properly disposed of to avoid drug diversion; and |
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WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration worked with the |
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White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop the |
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first consumer guidelines for proper disposal of prescription |
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drugs; the same disposal methods for prescription drugs apply to |
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over-the-counter drugs as well; and |
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WHEREAS, Issued in 2007, the federal guidelines warn against |
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flushing prescription drugs down the toilet unless the drug label |
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or patient information specifically says to do so; and |
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WHEREAS, If no instructions for the medicine are given, the |
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guidelines call for the drugs to be taken out of their original |
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containers and mixed with an undesirable substance, such as coffee |
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grounds or kitty litter; this way the medication will be less |
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appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable through the trash |
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bag; and |
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WHEREAS, The guidelines go on to recommend putting the |
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medicine in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent |
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the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag; in |
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addition, it is suggested that all identifying information be |
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removed from the container to protect one's identity and personal |
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health information; and |
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WHEREAS, Disposing of medicine in the household trash is |
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preferable to flushing it down the toilet because landfills are |
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governed by strict Environmental Protection Agency regulations to |
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prevent disposed items from affecting the environment; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby encourage all Texans to properly dispose of |
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prescription and over-the-counter drugs. |