Don't flush...seriously

A fact most people do not know is that while our water is tested for many things, it normally is not tested for drugs. In America over the counter drugs and illegal drugs are starting to show in our water supply.

A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows. 

To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe. 

But the presence of so many prescription drugs — and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen — in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

Most people throw away drugs or worse, flush them to keep animals or kids from coming across them, but here in Smyrna the police department has an alternative that is safe, and anonymous ( for those odd pills you found that you really don't want to know what they are).

Drug Collection Box Available Smyrna Justice Center, 400 Enon Springs Road, East 

The Smyrna Police Department would like to announce the recent addition of a Drug Collection Box within the lobby at the Smyrna Justice Center. In an effort to provide medication disposal options for our citizens, this collection box has been installed so these medications may be properly disposed of without causing potential harm to the environment. 

“We encourage our citizens to come by the Smyrna Police Department and bring their unwanted or expired medications for proper disposal” said Sergeant Bobby Gibson. “Items that may be collected are non-narcotics, narcotics, over the counter medications, herbals, veterinary medicines and illegal drugs” added Gibson. Items that will not be accepted at this location include bio-hazard materials, items in liquid form or needles/sharps, unless they are in appropriate containers. 

The Smyrna Police Department would like to thank CADCOR (Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Rutherford County), the Cardinal Health Foundation and the Recovery Support Foundation for providing us with this important tool for medication disposal.