Keeping meds out of waterways, away from others prompts call for safe disposal

Residents of many counties are able to safely rid themselves of medication they no longer need. Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center) wants to ensure the disposal is available in all 87 counties.

She sponsors HF916 that would require each county sheriff to “maintain at least one collection receptacle for the disposal of noncontrolled substances, pharmaceutical controlled substances, and other legend drugs, as permitted by federal law.”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom

“Most counties already have it,” Hilstrom said. “We want more.”

The bill was held over Tuesday by the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion. A companion, SF743, sponsored by Sen. Chris Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

“As you know, the opioid crisis is hitting Minnesota just as hard as it’s hitting everyone else nationally,” Hilstrom said. “We now have more overdoes based on prescription opioids than we have heroin overdoses.”

She said the sheriff’s association has requested additional funding for this. Hilstrom indicated a 33-gallon box costs about $1,000 and a 68-gallion box is about $1,400; however, a vendor is working with the association to provide a discounted price.

Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker) asked about disposal costs.

Hilstrom said it likely depends on the type of drugs and the amount. “We’ve just been working hard to have folks have places where they can leave them,” she said. “We don’t want them flushing them down the toilet; we don’t want them to leave them in medicine chests where other people can get them.”

Rep. JoAnn Ward (DFL-Woodbury) would like to see the root of the problem addressed.

“We have a record of doctors, physicians over-prescribing these medications,” she said. “Can we find out who is actually prescribing hundreds of pills to people when they maybe need five or six?”