HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Herring, M. E. Articles by Gupta, A. K. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Herring, M. E. Articles by Gupta, A. K.

From the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford (Drs Herring and Gupta); the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Dr Shinil K. Shah); and the Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (Dr Shiwan K. Shah).

Address correspondence to Shinil K. Shah, DO, 6540 Bellows Ln, Apt 501, Houston, TX 77030-2802.E-mail: shahs7{at}gmail.com

There are no uniform protocols in the United States for safe, environmentally acceptable disposal of controlled substances by patients. In addition, there are conflicting protocols used by various institutions for the disposal of narcotic medications. Although the US Drug Enforcement Administration oversees the prescribing, acquisition, and distribution of controlled substances and works to prevent the illegal diversion of these products, it stops short of recommending specific mechanisms for consumers to dispose of unused medications. The lack of specific regulations in this area increases the risk of illegal diversion of prescription medications and other controlled substances. The authors review and examine the dilemma posed by an ill-defined set of guidelines for disposal of controlled substances by patients and institutions not registered with the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The authors encourage public officials to update and reform ambiguous policies regarding opioid disposal by consumers and allied healthcare workers.