Just how do you dispose of prescription drugs?

When you're done with those prescription medications (without taking every last one), is throwing them away the best course of action? It's well-known that there are more prescription drug residues in the waste treatment plans across the country, but sometimes the actual drugs are directly thrown away instead of ingested.

The problem is that the environment can be harmed by these products just as throwing toxic waste can harm the environment. In fact, I consider some prescription drugs toxic already, but that's another post. If you're on some prescription drugs, what do you do with leftover tablets or capsules?

Don't flush them down the toilet, but ask your pharmacist about a "drug take-back" policy that allows you to return unused drugs back to the place of purchase for safe disposal. In other words, I'd prefer not to have that Vicodin residue in that public drinking water.