Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over‐the‐counter medications for safe, free disposal
Community prevention coalitions and law enforcement agencies in Southwest Washington are collaborating to host drive‐thru drug take‐back events at seven different locations in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties on Sat., Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over‐the‐counter medications for safe, free disposal to any one of the following event sites:
Clark County
- PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care ‐ 33rd & Main (south back lot), Vancouver
- Kaiser Permanente Orchards ‐ 7101 NE 137th Ave., Vancouver
- Battle Ground Police Department ‐ 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground
- Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue ‐ 1220 A St., Washougal
- Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Dept. ‐ 31501 NW 31st Ave., Ridgefield
Skamania County
- Skamania County Sheriff ‐ 200 Vancouver Ave., Stevenson
Klickitat County
- Goldendale United Methodist Church ‐ 109 E. Broadway (church parking lot), Goldendale
Please note that the Peacehealth Southwest Urgent Care site is the only location accepting sharps and syringes (noncommercial sources only). Additionally, all event sites except the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department will collect vape pens and e‐cigarettes without batteries for disposal.
All prescription and over‐the‐counter medications including pills, liquids and inhalers will be accepted at any of the drive‐thru disposal events. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted. Community‐based medicine take‐back events and year-round disposal sites are the only safe way to dispose of medication. Medicine should never be flushed or thrown in the trash, it pollutes the environment and waterways.
All sites will follow appropriate COVID‐19 safety guidelines, with participants utilizing the in‐vehicle drive‐thru process to ensure safety.
Kelley Groen‐Sieckmann, Community Prevention specialist with the Prevent Coalition and ESD 112 said that take back events are meant to promote safe medication disposal to reduce opioid and prescription misuse and prevent medication from ending up in our landfills and waterways.
“Statistics show that 75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them – usually taken from a friend or family member,” explains Groen‐Sieckmann. “However, simple steps like properly disposing of medications, can help prevent misuse and overall decrease the spread of the opioid problem we are seeing in our region and across the country,” she added.
Medicine take‐back events in Southwest Washington are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority. For more info about the event, visit bit.ly/DTBE102321. If you’re unable to make it to the Oct. 23 event, you can find a year-round medicine disposal site or order envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail at www.Med-Project.org.
About Prevent Coalition
Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration, awareness, and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington state. As a community mobilizer, we’re creating a culture promoting healthy choices; advocating for policies and regulations that protect, empower and nurture youth; and facilitating positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive.
For more info, visit www.preventcoalition.org.
Information provided by Educational Service District 112.
