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The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916-445-4633

RE: SB 966 (Simitian) Pharmaceutical Waste Take back – Support

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

(Organization) is in strong support of Senate Bill 966, which would begin the process of establishing a state-wide solution for the growing problem of improper disposal of unused and expired pharmaceutical drugs by creating model disposal programs and requiring the California Integrated Waste Management Board to report back to the legislature on their potential state-wide implementation.

Consumers currently have few safe and convenient options for disposal of unused prescription drugs. The disposal of pharmaceuticals in either the solid waste stream or down the drain poses public health and environmental risks. Pharmaceuticals flushed down the toilet pass through our sewage treatment plants—which are generally not designed to screen for many substances of concern. Pharmaceuticals discarded in landfills can seep into ground water. Several studies, including a 2002 analysis by the US Geological Survey of 139 streams across 30 states found that 80 percent of waterways tested had measurable concentrations of prescription and nonprescription drugs, steroids, and reproductive hormones. Preliminary studies in San Francisco have also found trace amounts in tap water. Exposure even to low levels of pharmaceuticals has been shown to have negative effects on fish and other aquatic species and may have negative effects on human health. The European Union, as well as Australia and British Columbia have pharmaceutical take-back programs of some variety.

SB 966 will clear the legal hurdles preventing pharmacies and other organizations from providing this necessary service and will take a large step toward rectifying this worrisome gap to consumer access to the proper disposal of hazardous substances.  We are in strong support of SB 966 and urge you to sign this important piece of legislation into law.

Sincerely,

(Please fax copies of your letter to Californians Against Waste 916-443-3912 and to Senator Joe Simitian 916-323-4529.)