By Jeff Nagel - Richmond Review
Published: March 20, 2009 10:00 AM

Too many people toss old medications in the trash or flush them down the drain instead of using an existing return program, according to Metro Vancouver.

Pharmaceuticals that end up in landfills or in the sewer system can make their way into the environment. There it's feared they can poison or disrupt hormone levels and normal reproductive cycles in aquatic life, and potentially contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Eliminating expired or unwanted drugs from medicine cabinets also ensures they aren't someday consumed by accident.