THE P2D2 BILL/ILLINOIS HB 2056 Paying for Pharmaceutical Disposal Across America

What is P2D2?  A collaborative effort between students, local pharmacies, government officials, and Police Departments  Purpose  Educate public about harm done to environment due to current prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices.  Provide an alternative way that ensures the quality of our water for future generations.

What are the issues and facts?  Over 80% of waterways tested  Studies have linked hormone exposure to reproductive defects in fish  Environmental exposure to antibiotics  400% increase in substance abuse treatment admissions  Average household contains 2.7 pounds of unwanted or expired drugs

Scientists with the United States Geological Society have detected drugs in U.S. water such as:  Antibiotics  Anti-depressants  Birth control pills  Seizure medication  Cancer treatments  Pain killers  Tranquilizers  Cholesterol-lowering compounds

Reason for the Program  Waste water and water treatment methods in the United States are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals from our water supply.

What are the issues and facts?  Nearly 7 million Americans abusing  40% of teens & parents think abusing is prescription medication is safer than illegal drugs  25% of drug-related emergency room visits  1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication  1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers

How does the program work?  Individuals take their unused and unwanted prescription and non- prescription drugs to participating pharmacies and police departments.  Controlled substances go to the local, county, and state police departments.

How does the program work?  The departments have secure drop boxes that individuals can place their substances in - no questions asked.  The substances are disposed of following proper police procedures.

What do we do with the medications?  The medications are incinerated at various locations to produce energy Pallets of pills at Covanta Energy, Indianapolis

What is accepted at Pharmacies?  All non-controlled medications, which includes:  Prescription and OTC medications  Pet medications  Vitamins & Supplements  Liquid medications in leak-proof containers  Homeopathic remedies  Suppositories

To Date Disposal Total Illinois  Since inception we have collected approximately 333 fifty-five gallon drum equivalents of pharmaceuticals  Over 150,000 lb!

House Bill 2056  Students from Antioch High School’s Environmental Club learned about P2D2.  Tried to start program in their community.  Shut down due to lack of funding. Who pays for the costs associated with transporting the drugs to an incineration facility?

HB 2056  Students contacted their State Representative, JoAnn Osmond.   Began working on House Bill 2056: The P2D2 Bill.  HB 2056 requires a $20 fine assessed to convicted drug offenders.  Fine goes into P2D2 Fund.  Money from this fund is used to reimburse police departments for the transportation of drugs to an incineration facility.

Why is HB 2056 important?  It solves the problem of proper pharmaceutical disposal funding at no cost to the taxpayers or municipalities.  It encourages a relationship between students, pharmacies, and government.  Full text of the bill:  =&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum= 2056&GAID=11&LegID=59263&SpecSess=&Session =&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum= 2056&GAID=11&LegID=59263&SpecSess=&Session

HB 2056  Students from Antioch contacted Pontiac Township HS students for support.  Pontiac students lobbied the bill in a variety of ways.  Created Public Service Announcements to make the public aware of this issue.  Lobbied State Representatives in Springfield. Testified in front of House’s Environmental Health Committee.  Contacted and educated every state Senator in Illinois.  Lobbied State Senators in Springfield. Testified in front of Senate’s Environmental Health Committee.  Participated in press conferences.  Attended the bill signing in Chicago with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant / P 2 D 2

To Learn More Paul Ritter: Director -National Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program Megan Bozarth: Coordinator