Drug Take-Back Event This Saturday Collects Unwanted Medications to Protect Families and Environment

In 2015, 92 million prescriptions were filled in the state of Washington. With two-thirds of prescribed medications going unused, the amount of medicine accumulating in households is substantial -- and dangerous. On April 29th, Clark and Skamania County residents can safely dispose of all unused medications at four free collection events. 

All events will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29th, at: 
* PeaceHealth Memorial Hospital, 33rd and Main St, Vancouver 
* Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. 
* Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St, Battle Ground, WA 98604 
* Skamania County Sheriff's Office, 200 Vancouver Ave, Stevenson 

Unused medicines left in the home increase opportunities for drug abuse. More than half of people 12 or older who used pain relievers non-medically report getting the drug from a friend or relative for free. Reducing access may lead to lower overdose death rates, which have increased nearly 140% since 2000. Overdose death rates involving opioid pain relievers and heroin have increased nearly 200% during this same time. The second leading cause of accidental death in Washington state is drug overdose. 

Proper drug disposal is also an environmental issue. Unused medications can contaminate our drinking water and should not be flushed down the toilet or put in the trash. Drug Take Back programs dispose of medications properly and safely through the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). 

The April 29th collection event is organized thanks to a community partnership including Battle Ground Police Department, Burgerville, Clark County Public Health, Connect Evergreen, Kaiser Permanente, La Center United, Legacy Hospital, One Prevention Alliance, PeaceHealth, Prevent Coalition, Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance, Skamania County Sheriff's Office, Unite! Washougal Community Coalition, U.S. Dept. of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Vancouver Police Department, Walgreens. 

Similar events last year collected more than 3,400 pounds of medications from more than 1,700 participants. Unwanted medications also can be disposed of at several collection sites across Clark and Skamania Counties. Controlled substances, such as pain killers and tranquilizers, can be taken to participating law enforcement agencies and participating pharmacies. Non-controlled substances, such as over-the-counter medications, can be taken to local participating pharmacies. Visit www.takebackyourmeds.org for more details on where to drop off your medications. 

All unwanted medications (controlled and non-controlled) will be accepted at the April 29th events. For more information about the event, call Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-2121 ext. 4352, or contact the Prevent Coalition at [email protected]