The "SAFE" way to dispose of Medicines

Safe Medicine Drop Boxes with Medicines Left on Top

Italy encourages the safe disposal of used syringes and leftover or expired medicines. And I think this is a truly GREAT initiative, because a careless toss into the trashcan may enable unsuspecting children to help themselves. Just a few pills could be fatal.

Of course, keeping valid medicines out of the reach of children in the home is also important. To do that, there are inexpensive ways to prevent tragedy. With my daughter's love for cough syrup and all things sweet, I am now looking into this secured lock box at Amazon for less than twenty dollars.

But to encourage the protection of little ones outside the home, some pharmacies and supermarkets in Treviso provide bins where one can safely dispose of unwanted medicines. That's why tonight as my wife and I were entering the doors of PAM (a supermarket here in Centro Storico) with our two small children, I couldn't help but notice (and photograph) the overflowing "Safe Medicine Deposit" bins intended to keep dangerous pharmaceuticals out of the reach of children. Notice the "deposited" boxes of pills ON TOP OF the bins (click the pic to enlarge).

Doesn't this completely defeat the purpose and make it more accessible than if they put it all into the big, hard-to-open dumpster just outside the store here? I don't get it....