Get rid of prescription drugs at take-back day

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 26, 2022

This week, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the Port Angeles Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition will provide the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

Between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, bring pills for disposal to the Clallam County Courthouse at 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Vaping pens and cartridges will also be accepted (please remove batteries); however, sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches, event organizers said.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. To participate, simply drive through in front of the incident command motorhome near the courthouse in the main parking lot.

To further ensure the safe storage of prescription medication and other substances, the Port Angeles Health Youth Coalition will be handing out medication lock bags to take home at no cost, while supplies last. Each lock bag is white laminated nylon and measures 12 inches long and 8 inches tall, that can hold up to 24 prescription bottles.

The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available online at fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, law enforcement officials said.

Individuals can also drop off their unwanted drugs and medications during the rest of the year at Med-Project kiosks in the Sequim Police Department at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 West Cedar St.

For more information, visit med-project.org or call 844-MED-PROJECT.