Binghamton University’s Outdoor Pursuits department is scheduled to hold an event Saturday aimed at educating others about the hazards of disposing medicine by pouring it down the drain.
The event, titled “Save Our Stream,” is being held to gather old medicine people may have and dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly manner. Outdoor pursuits received permits from the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health to collect the medication.
The disposal of medicine down the drain is potentially damaging to the water supply, as it can find its way into local rivers and streams.
“Everyone is talking about water quality these days,” said Teresa High, assistant director of Outdoor Pursuits. “Clean water is something we forget is a privilege.”
The event, which is sponsored by Campus Recreation, the Village of Endicott, United Health Services and Binghamton University’s New York State University Police, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the East Gym. Students are encouraged to bring their old and unwanted medicine for safe disposal.
After all of the medicine has been collected, campus police will take custody of the items and bring them to Oswego where they will be incinerated.
High decided to organize the event after hearing about a similar medicine drive held last year that drew over 200 people. By holding one on campus, High hopes to educate students and get them to think more about their own impact on the world around them.
“It’s hard here because many students don’t have a lot of their own medicine that need to be disposed of, but I hope that the lesson we are trying to teach will be something they take with them as they establish their lives, homes and careers,” she said.
“This is more about transferring your learning and furthering your education outside of the classroom.”
According to a press release, unwanted prescription medications, veterinary medicines and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can be disposed at the event, but should remain in their original container with labels.