PILL DRAGON

In cooperation with PRIDE and the Kentucky Army National Guard, UNITE works with local coalitions and law enforcement agencies to provide this free service to citizens. See schedule below.

The Pill Dragon, on permanent loan from the National Guard, made its debut on August 6, 2010. The incinerators will help families, rural law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, hospitals, veterinary clinics, nursing homes, Hospice centers and others dispose of medications in an environmentally friendly fashion.

Through November 17, 2011, UNITE’s Pill Dragon has destroyed 761,034 pills.

To view photos from some of the Pill Dragon events Click Here.

Powered by diesel fuel, the dragon burns at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to safely and efficiently reduce medications to ash for disposal.

For years the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush it down the toilet. This practice, however, has been strongly discouraged for the past decade because of concerns about the potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and soil.

MONITOR prescription drugs in your home.

SECURE prescriptions in a locked storage area.

DISPOSE of unneeded prescription drugs.

• Download 2-page “Medication Disposal Safety Tips” from the Veteran’s Administration. Click here .
• Download 2-page “How to Dispose of Unused Medicines” from the Food and Drug Administration. Click here .

Another troubling fact is that more than 90 percent of teens that try prescription drugs the first time turn to the family medicine cabinet or from a friend’s family member. The most recent Monitoring the Future study found that seven of the top 10 drugs being abused by high school seniors are legal prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Teens believe that because drugs are prescribed they are safe, but that is true only when taken according to directions and only by the person to whom the drugs were prescribed. Aside from the fact that taking or giving away medicine that is not prescribed to you is illegal, even at small doses the potential exists for serious health effects – including death.

Having extra medicine at your house places you at greater risk of being the victim of a burglary or theft.
 

Feeding Schedule

To schedule the Pill Dragon for a “Clean Your Medicine Cabinet Out Day” or similar pill take-back program in your community call 1-866-678-6483.