Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over‐the‐counter medications for safe, free disposal
Community substance misuse prevention coalitions, law enforcement agencies, and medical providers in Southwest Washington are collaborating to host drive‐thru drug take‐back events at five different locations across Clark County on Saturday, April 22, 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 drive-thru event sites. There will be two new drive-thru events sites located at Walgreens Fisher’s Landing and La Center Police Department.
Clark County Drive-Thru Event Sites:
- PeaceHealth Memorial Campus ‐ 33rd & Main (south back lot), Vancouver
- NEW SITE: Walgreens Fisher’s Landing East – 1905 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver
- Battle Ground Police Department ‐ 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground
- Washougal Police Department ‐ 1320 A St., Washougal
- NEW SITE: La Center Police Department – 105 W 5th St., La Center
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. Removal of personal information on medication labels or packaging is not required for disposal at the event sites.
Please note that the Peacehealth Memorial Campus and Walgreens Fisher’s Landing event sites are the only locations accepting sharps and syringes for disposal from noncommercial sources only. Additionally, all event sites will collect vape pens and e‐cigarettes without batteries for disposal.
Community‐based medicine take‐back events and year-round disposal programs are the only safe and most environmentally protective way to dispose of medication. Medicine should never be flushed or thrown in the trash as it pollutes the environment and waterways, puts kids and pets at risk for accidental ingestion and poisonings, and could be retrieved and misused by someone it wasn’t prescribed for.
Kelley Groen‐Sieckmann, Community Prevention Project Coordinator with the Central Vancouver Coalition and ESD 112 said that take back events are meant to promote safe medication disposal and encourage community members to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a standard practice for preventing prescription drug misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting, reducing the risk for accidental ingestion or poisonings, and preventing medication from ending up in landfills and our drinking water.
“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, and each year over 60,000 children under age six end up in emergency rooms from accidentally ingesting medication,” explains Groen‐Sieckmann. “However, simple steps like properly disposing of medications and storing medicine in a locked location, can help prevent accidental poisonings, prescription drug 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 Clark County are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority, law enforcement, and youth substance misuse prevention coalitions. For more info about the event, visit bit.ly/42223DTBE. If you’re unable to make it to the April 22nd event, you can find year-round medicine disposal sites or order free envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail at www.medtakebackwashington.org or bit.ly/DEATake-Back. Protect loved ones by taking the pledge to lock your meds and learn about the benefits of storing medication in a locked location at www.LocksSaveLives.org.
About Central Vancouver Coalition
Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Central Vancouver Coalition is a Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative coalition formed in 2018 to reduce and prevent youth substance use by building an inclusive, resilient and connected community through awareness, education, and collaboration. As a community mobilizer, we promote resilience and growth through community and strive to create a culture promoting healthy choices; advocating for initiatives and policies that protect, empower and nurture youth; and facilitating positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive. For more info, visit www.centralvancoalition.org.
Also read:
- CRESA officials ask public to call 911 only for emergencies during weather events
CRESA officials are urging residents to reserve 911 calls for life-threatening emergencies during weather events as storms continue to cause power outages and hazardous conditions. - Rep. John Ley introduces bill to balance representation on Washington transportation boards
Legislation introduced by Rep. John Ley seeks to change how transportation board seats are allocated and prevent funding penalties tied to population-based representation rules. - Woodland man arrested, charged with murder
A 67-year-old Woodland man was arrested after deputies found a deceased man hidden on his property following a 9-1-1 report of a homicide. - Wild windstorm knocks out power, closes roads, and cancels school throughout Clark County
A powerful windstorm tore through Clark County, leaving tens of thousands without power, forcing widespread school closures, and blocking roads with downed trees and debris. - Northwest just finished warmest fall on record, scientists report
Scientists report the Pacific Northwest experienced its warmest fall on record, with snowpack at the lowest level for this point in winter since tracking began in 2001. - Opinion: More taxes sadly the Washington way
Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington lawmakers continue to turn to new taxes instead of addressing state spending priorities, particularly in health care policy. - C-TRAN offering free service, extended hours this New Year’s Eve
C-TRAN will offer free systemwide service and extended late-night hours on select routes for New Year’s Eve to support safe holiday travel.
