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FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	11/14/2016
Subject: Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance Proposal
Submitted For:	FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Department:	County Administrator
Referral No.:	N/A
Referral Name:	N/A
Presenter:	Daniel Peddycord, Public Health Director	Contact:	Enid Mendoza, (925) 335-1039

Information

Referral History:

On April 27, 2010 the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution supporting Extended Producer Responsibility. It was noted that local governments do not have the resources to adequately address the rising volume of discarded products and that there are significant environmental and health impacts associated with improper management of Universal Wastes, sharps and other products.

In March of 2012, Supervisor Mary Piepho brought forward a resolution to the Board of Supervisors declaring March as “Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month”. Comment was made regarding the importance of safely storing and disposing of medications. Subsequently, at an April 28, 2012 Prescription Drug Take Back event, Supervisor Piepho noted that her office was working with County departments to review and evaluate a “Safe Medication Disposal” Ordinance for Contra Costa County.

On March 3, 2015, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors issued a resolution recognizing March as Prescription Drug Awareness month to bring attention to the seriousness and significance of deaths associated with the misuse of prescription drugs. Supervisor Candace Andersen referenced the importance of disposing unwanted medications when they are no longer needed and Supervisor Mary Piepho indicated that she hoped the County would soon be able to adopt a safe drug disposal ordinance, following Alameda County's lead in adopting a similar ordinance.

Over the past year staff has worked with the Office of Supervisor Piepho to develop a draft ordinance for safe drug disposal. These efforts have focused on modeling an ordinance that would require the producers of covered drugs to create and pay for a system for the safe and convenient disposal of unwanted prescription drugs, similar to those adopted by other Bay Area counties.

Although this item is not a Family and Human Services (F&HS) referral, it is being presented to F&HS for discussion and further direction prior to presenting the topic to the full Board of Supervisors.

Referral Update:

Please see the attached staff report and draft ordinance.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

CONSIDER receiving the report from the Health Services Department regarding current issues with drug misuse and abuse and the proposed Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance, and recommending to the Board of Supervisors approval of a Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

Inspections and audits, including review of plans and annual reports, will be covered by fees paid to the County by participating producers. There is no anticipated impact to the County general fund.

Attachments
Report on Safe Drug Ordinance Proposal
DRAFT Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance