Marshall Allen, an investigative journalist, has been a reporter for ProPublica for over six years. In his America’s Other Drug Problem article, he analyzing the excessive amount of medicine that is destroyed and wasted by nursing homes. He informs his readers that these facilities are flushing their leftover drugs down the toilet, which is a factor in explaining our nation’s high healthcare costs. This also has the potential to contaminate water supply. He uses data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency, which estimated that over 740 tons of drugs are wasted by nursing homes every year. He compares these wasteful practices to what a non-profit organization, SafeNetRx, in Iowa is doing as a solution. SafeNetRx collect the unexpired prescription drugs that are thrown away and give them to patients who may not be able to afford them. This recycling program is funded by the state and has been very successful in its savings. Last year, the non-profit recovered and distributed more than $3.4 million worth of drugs. This year, they are expected to reach over $5 million. This demonstrates the positive impact they are making on recycling unused medicine. More states need to realize the importance of recycling these medications and take action in doing so.