07/29/2010 06:32:39 PM EDT -- La Crosse Tribune (WI)

County revises pharmaceutical collection program

July 29--La Crosse County's Solid Waste Department is changing its pharmaceutical collection program after learning it might not meet federal guidelines.

"It was brought to our attention in May that our program, which has operated successfully since 2007, may not be in alignment with (Drug Enforcement Agency) interpretations specific to controlled substances," according to County Solid Waste Manager Randy Nedrelo.

Nedrelo had said in May that the DEA calls for controlled substances to be under 24-hour law enforcement watch.

Nedrelo said the solid waste department will no longer collect and dispose of controlled, prescription medications including:

n Prescription pain killers such as Vicodin, hydrocodone and oxycontin.

n Stimulants including Ritalin.

n Strong sedatives such as Valium.

n Cough syrup with codeine.

n Steroids and testosterone.

n Muscle relaxants such as Clonazepam.

The county will continue to collect and dispose of non-controlled prescription medications during normal business hours at the county's Household Hazardous Materials facility at the landfill.

Medications the county will collect include:

n Over-the-counter medications.

n Vitamins and herbal substances.

n Prescription medications other than those listed as controlled.

Only medications in original containers will be accepted.

For more information, call the hazardous materials site at (608) 785-9999.

A complete list of accepted and nonaccepted medications will be available on the Solid Waste Department's website, www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/solidwaste/hhm.

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