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Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, and Attorney General George Jepsen announced 80,000 drug deactivation kits capable of safely disposing unused prescription medications have been donated to the State of Connecticut and are now available free-of-charge to residents at over 600 pharmacies throughout the state.
The biodegradable Deterra drug disposal kits were donated by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and can deactivate and destroy up to 45 pills each simply by adding warm tap water and then disposing the kit in the trash.
Excess prescription opioids contribute to misuse, abuse, and addiction. The kits will allow residents to safely dispose of the drugs at home without contaminating water sources or harming the environment. In order to get the kits into the hands of consumers, state agencies have partnered with pharmacies throughout the state to help distribute the packets. Individuals seeking a drug disposal kit can visit their local pharmacy and obtain one free of charge. Participating pharmacies include Big Y, CVS, Price Chopper, Rite Aid, Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, Walgreens, Walmart, and other independent outlets.
“Opioid misuse from prescription drugs can effect anyone of any age or background – nobody is immune. We’ve unfortunately heard many stories from residents whose addiction began when they were prescribed a few pills to help with a certain medical condition, and then led them down a path of addiction and overdose,” Governor Malloy said. “Addiction is a disease. By educating residents on the potential danger of these medications and how to safely dispose of any pills that may no longer be needed for their intended purpose, we can help prevent potential harm or even tragedy from occurring. I urge any Connecticut resident looking to dispose of unused medication to visit their local pharmacy and ask for one of these packets.”
Each of the at-home, Deterra drug disposal kits contains a water-soluble inner pod containing MAT12® activated carbon (charcoal). When medication is placed inside of the pouch, warm water should be added, which will dissolve the inner pod releasing the activated carbon. The resulting solution will then dissolve any prescription pills, patches and liquids that were placed inside of the kit, allowing them to be adsorbed by the carbon, and rendering them inert and irretrievable.
Pharmacies that have not received kits or would like to request additional ones should contact the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) Drug Control Division at dcp.drugcontrol@ct.gov or 860-713-6065.
In addition to the at-home kits, DCP operates a drug disposal program that provides over 71 unused medication disposal drop boxes for Connecticut residents, which can be found at many local and state police departments across the state.
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