February 7, 2023 — Properly disposing of prescription medication helps curb drug misuse and keeps the environment clean, and Lee Health, Lee Physician Group (LPG) and Healthy Lee member, the Coalition for a Drug-Free SWFL, are working together to provide LPG patients and the community with safe ways to purge their expired and unwanted prescription drugs.
Ensuring that patients’ unused medications are disposed of properly not only reduces harmful environmental contamination in our community, but it also helps reduce the risk of drug misuse and diversion.
Through a grant with United Way over three years, the Coalition for a Drug-Free SWFL will make Deterra Drug Disposal System pouches available at no cost for LPG patients to take home and use to properly dispose of their expired prescription medications. Educational resources will also be available for the public.
There are also some events this month where non-LPG patients can pick up Deterra pouches free of cost.
“We are grateful for the grant with United Way for making this possible and for Healthy Lee approaching us to collaborate with the Coalition for a Drug-Free SWFL,” said Terry Mainous, chief nursing and operations executive for LPG. “It’s a very important resource for the public to utilize and be aware of, and we know that together, we can make a difference toward helping the environment and curbing drug misuse in our community.”
Deterra’s patented medication disposal pouches deactivate prescription drugs, pills, patches, liquids, creams and films and renders them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment. Once the medication is disposed of, it can’t be accidentally ingested, diverted, abused or leaked into the ecosystem.
A patient will simply place the medicine in a Deterra pouch or container, fill it halfway with water, wait 30 seconds, seal the pouch, shake it and throw it away.
These pouches may be stored in any temperature and will not expire until 2042. The granular activated carbon used in Deterra is non-corrosive to the skin and eyes and Deterra is considered non-toxic.
Pouches are now available at many LPG offices and will be available at all of them as they are delivered.
The public can also pick up Deterra pouches at these events at no cost while supplies last:
- Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The Your Good Health event at Hodges University, 4501 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers
- Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon: Annual Omega Health Forum at Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Ave., Fort Myers
