Drug Take-back Events Collect Unwanted Medications, Remove Potential Danger from Homes

Seventy-one percent of all drug poisoning deaths in Clark County are opioid related, according to data pulled earlier this year by Clark County Public Health. And seventy-five percent of all opioid poisoning deaths are prescription opioid related, which increased about 16 percentage points since 2013 (from 59%). Safe medicine take-back programs, like those scheduled on April 28th, get potentially dangerous leftover drugs out of our homes.

Clark and Skamania County residents can safely dispose of all unused prescription and over the counter medications at five free collection events. All unwanted medications (controlled and non-controlled) will be accepted at each event location. Sharps and syringes will ONLY be accepted at the Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park event location. Events will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28th, at:

• PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, 33rd & Main (S. Back Lot), Vancouver
• Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park, 12607 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground
• Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue, 1220 A St., Washougal
• Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, 200 NW Vancouver Ave., Stevenson

Unused medicines left in the home increase opportunities for drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Most abusers of medicines, including teens, get the drugs from a friend, relative, or their own home; often without anyone knowing, rather than from a drug dealer.

The April 28th collection event is organized thanks to a community partnership including Clark County Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Battle Ground Police Department, La Center Police Department, Ridgefield Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Washougal Police Department, Washougal Silver Star Search and Rescue, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Walgreens, Connect Evergreen, La Center United t, Prevent Coalition, Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance, Unite! Washougal Community Coalition, Connect Evergreen, West Van for Youth, and U.S. Dept. of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drug Take Back events in October 2017 collected more than 3,500 pounds of medications from 1,165 participants. Unwanted medications also can be disposed of year-round 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, Sharps and syringes, can be taken to local participating transfer and recovery centers. Visit  www.ClarkGreenNeighbors.org/meds for more details on where to drop off your medications.

For more information about the events, call Clark County Public Health at (360) 397-2121 ext. 4352, or contact the Prevent Coalition at [email protected].