Saturday is Free National Drug Take Back Day

Published 11:48 am Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Port Angeles Police Department are participating in the free National Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Citizens will be able to take potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to one of two locations.

The Drug Take Back location will be in the main parking lot of the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Individuals may bring controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs as well as over the counter medications to the courthouse collection site. However, intravenous solutions, injectibles, syringes and medical waste will not be accepted because of potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.

The event is completely anonymous; no identification is required in order to participate.

Unused, expired and unneeded medicines can be a serious danger to those living in the residence, especially for young children and pets, law enforcement officials say. Such drugs and medications can be stolen, misused and abused by others. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of poisonings and dangerous overdoses that occur.

During the rest of the year, individuals may drop off their unwanted drugs and medications at the Sequim Police Department and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office at the courthouse in Port Angeles during regular business hours. Citizens also may dispose of their unused medications with the exception of controlled substances and liquids at Jim’s Pharmacy, 424 E. Second St., Port Angeles, during their regular store hours.

For more information on local Drug Take Back Programs, call 417-2385.