Q: Why shouldn’t I flush my leftover medication down the toilet?

According to the Food and Drug Administration, tests have revealed low but measurable levels of medicine in surface waters such as rivers and streams, and to a lesser degree, in drinking water. The majority of those drugs make their way into the water supply through natural routes of drug elimination, such as in urine or feces. Scientists have yet to find any examples of harmful effects to human health. But to reduce overall medicine levels in water, the agency recommends that consumers first consider medicine take-back programs or authorized collection sites before flushing pills down the toilet or the sink.

Health officials say leftover pain medication is often found by others and used recreationally or diverted for street sales, which has contributed to the opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S.

Prescription drug drop-off sites include pharmacies, police stations and local hospitals.

— Markian Hawryluk, The Bulletin