WASHINGTON, DC- Last night, the Senate passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) to designate May 24, 2010 as Prescription Drug Disposal Awareness Day. He introduced the resolution promoting safe drug disposal in memory of Manyunk, Pennsylvania native Timothy Strain, who died after being given painkillers not prescribed to him.
“I applaud the passage of this resolution and commend Timothy’s parents Beverly and Bernie for their continued fight to protect others from dangerous prescription drugs,” said Senator Casey. “We must work to find a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs and help make sure that what happened to Timothy does not happen to any other child.”
The resolution notes that every year prescription drugs are responsible for more overdose deaths than illegal drugs and encourages states to implement prescription drug disposal programs to keep drugs out of the hands of children.
The resolution also warns of the adverse affects prescription drugs can have on the environment when disposed of improperly. Drugs that are flushed down the drain may end up in rivers and drinking water.
The resolution was passed on what would have been Timothy’s birthday. Timothy died after taking painkillers prescribed to someone else in an effort to alleviate pain associated with severe burns he suffered on his hands. Timothy’s family is now advocating for safe drug disposal programs to be implemented across the country to rid medicine cabinets of expired or unused drugs.
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