The Think Before You Flush Resolution

THE UNIFIED STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

MEASURE OF THE SENATE The Think Before You Flush Resolution To Ensure Sustainable Medicine Disposal Within the Student Body ______ - ______ - ______ to be filed by the Secretary of the Senate

Signed by the President of the Unified Student Government Association

Chiefly Sponsored By: Senator Jackson Santy, Chair of the Safety and Wellness Committee Co-Sponsored By: The Safety and Wellness Committee

The Think Before You Flush Resolution To Ensure Sustainable Medicine Disposal Within the Student Body Whereas,

It has been recommended up until recently by the Environmental Protection Agency that any expired or unused medications in which individuals possess should be flushed down the toilet or sent down the sink, and

Whereas,

Loyola University Chicago, hereafter referred to as Loyola, has an extensive recycling program, and

Whereas,

Traces of Viagra, endocrine disrupters, Prozac and caffeine have been found in major drinking water sources including Lake Michigan, and

Whereas,

Studies have shown that endocrine disrupters have created intersex fish in many waterways, and

Whereas,

These specific chemicals are able to bypass sewage treatment facilities and enter Chicago’s drinking water, and

Whereas,

These traces may be minimal, but the potential risk of higher concentrations is concerning, and

Whereas,

The Drug Enforcement Agency and Environmental Protection Agency have suggested to take any unwanted drugs to a disposal facility, and

Whereas,

Loyola’s Wellness Center has the capacity to dispose of medications responsibly, and

Therefore,

The Student Government of Loyola Chicago supports a sustainable medicine disposal program as a resource within the Loyola Community.