More than 600 residents in three Southwest Washington counties dropped off a total of 2,805 pounds of unused medications and syringes during a multi-site drug take back event on Oct. 29.
The medication disposal event was hosted at seven locations in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties.
“Despite the weather on Saturday, we had a great turnout for the events across our region,” Kelley Groen-Sieckmann, the community prevention project coordinator with Central Vancouver Coalition and ESD 112, stated in a news release. “It is always inspiring to see members of the community committed to disposing of medicine properly which in turn keeps these potentially dangerous substances out of the environment and our waterways. It also protects their children and families from the potential risks of accidental poisonings, overdose, or misuse which can lead to prescription drug addiction.”
The discarded medications were secured in boxes and transported for incineration by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The drug take-back events have been organized by law enforcement agencies and prevention coalitions in Clark County since 2010. The events have collected 53,831 pounds of prescription and over the counter medicine, as well as syringes, which is equivalent to the weight of seven elephants, the release stated.
The events are held twice a year in April and October in multiple counties in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority and DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
October’s event was organized by local youth substance use disorder prevention coalitions, law enforcement agencies, community partners, clinics and volunteers, stated the release.
The sites included PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, the Battle Ground Police Department, the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department, Kaiser Permanente Orchards, the Washougal Police Department, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and Klickitat County Courthouse.
Those who have unwanted medications and sharps or syringes can dispose of them year round at several collection sites across Southwest Washington. Medications can be taken to participating law enforcement agencies and pharmacies for disposal, while sharps and syringes can be disposed of at participating transfer and recovery centers.
To find a nearby collection site or order pre-paid postage envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail, go online to med-project.org.
“Do not pour medicine down the drain, flush or throw it in the trash as it could be taken by someone for whom it wasn’t prescribed and it can pollute the environment and our drinking water,” stated the release.
