HomeMy WebLinkAbout4872 RESOLUTION NO. 4 8 7 2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, SUPPORTING CREATION OF A
SECURE, CONVENIENT MEDICINE RETURN PROGRAM
IN KING COUNTY TO REDUCE THE PUBLIC SAFETY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF UNWANTED
MEDICINE
WHEREAS, drug overdose deaths, abuse of prescription pain killers, and
abuse of inedicines by young people is a growing problem, and more people die of
prescription medicines than all illegal drugs combined; and
WHEREAS, medicines used in the home are the leading cause of poisonings
reported to the Washington Poison Center, and preventable poisonings from
medicines have been rising rapidly, especially among children and seniors; and
WHEREAS, unwanted medicines left in the home contribute to opportunities
for drug abuse, drug theft, and accidental poisonings; and
� WHEREAS, most medicines, when discarded, are categorized as dangerous
waste under the Washington State Dangerous Waste regulations (Chapter 173-303
WAC); or hazardous waste under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) (42 USC 6901), or both; and
WHEREAS, medicines disposed of by flushing into sewers are not completely
treated or removed by sewage Veatment facilities, or onsite sewage systems,
allowing pharmaceuticals to be released into the environment; and
WHEREAS, medicines disposed of in the garbage are not secure from theft, or
may eventually end up in Iandfiil leachate which may be sent to sewage treatrnent
facilities, eventually allowing pharmaceuticats to be released into the environment
and
Resolution No.4872
October 9, 2012
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WHEREAS, the White House Office of National Drug ConUol Poiicy
recommends encouraging and providing for proper disposal of inedicines as a key
element for the prevention of prescription drug abuse in its 2012 National Drug
Control Strategy; and
WHEREAS, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy, the Food & Drug Administration, and the
Environmental Protection Agency recommend medicine retum programs as a more
secure and environmentally safe disposal method than throwing pharmaceuticals in
trash; and
WHEREAS, nine city police stations, twelve Bartell Drug retail pharmacies,
and twelve Group Health clinical pharmacies in King County currently offer medicine
take-back and use approved security protocols to prevent theft, but the county Iacks
a comprehensive and convenient medicine take-back system; and
WHEREAS, communities are struggling to implement and finance programs to
address the public safety impacts of leftover medicines in residents' homes and the
environmental impacts of improper disposal of unwanted medicines; and
WHEREAS, pharmaceutical manufacturers currently operate and fund
successful medicine retum systems in Canada and several countries in Europe.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. That City of Aubum City Council encourages the King County
Board of Health to establish a convenient, safe, secure, and environmentally sound
medicine return program for unwanted medicines from households through a
Resolution No.4872
October 9, 2012
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hartnaceutical manufacturer financin mechanism that covers the cost of collection,
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transportation, and disposal, and does not rely on local govemment funding.
Section 2. That the Maybr is authorized to implement such administrative
procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full farce uPon
passage and signatures hereon.
Y"
Dated and Signed this �y�day of , 2012.
Y 1RI�L�
_�
PE ER B. LEWIS, MAYOR
ATfEST
� ��°"----
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APP VED TO RM:
D el B. ei , Attomey
Resolution No.4872
October 9, 2012
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