Rep. LaFontaine offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 213.  

A resolution to declare September 10, 2013, as Pharmaceutical Collection Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Studies show that pharmaceuticals do not readily break down in our environment; and

Whereas, Once released to the environment, pharmaceuticals persist in our rivers, lakes, and streams, in the water we recreate in, fish in, and drink; and

Whereas, Pharmaceuticals persist at very low levels in our water, across the Great Lakes, the United States, Europe, and in most developed countries; and 

Whereas, Consequences from pharmaceuticals at low levels for fish and amphibians include abnormal sexual differentiation being feminized by endocrine disruptors, like birth control medicine in the water which can disrupt natural population balances for fish populations, food supply, and recreation; and

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that deaths caused by pharmaceutical overdoses have been steadily rising over the last two decades and are presently the leading cause of injury death in the United States; and

Whereas, Pharmaceuticals should be securely stored up and away and out of the sight and reach of children; and

Whereas, The existing solid waste regulations require the collection of medications for diversion from landfills to preferred disposal via incineration at a licensed solid waste incinerator to be identified in the county solid waste plans; and

Whereas, On the Capitol lawn on September 11, 2012, the Michigan Pharmacists Association in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Community Health, and Michigan State Police, collected 579 pounds of unused, unwanted, or expired medications with an estimated value of $1 million in a matter of two and a half hours; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 10, 2013, as Pharmaceutical Collection Day in the state of Michigan.