Clark County residents can dispose of expired or unused medications on Sept. 26 at one of the four prescription drug take-back locations in Vancouver and All locations will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. They are:
PeaceHealth Memorial Health Center, 100 E. 33rd St.
Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.
Kaiser Permanente-Salmon Creek, 14406 N.E. 20th Ave.
Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. 1st St., Battle Ground
The event is sponsored by PREVENT!, a local nonprofit aimed at curbing teen alcohol and drug abuse, along with Clark County Environmental Services, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, Battle Ground Police Department, Kaiser Permanente, PeaceHealth and Prevent Together-Battle Ground Prevention Alliance.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem. The 2010 Washington State Healthy Survey found that 6 percent of high school seniors admitted misusing prescription drugs. More than 70 percent of youths who abuse prescription drugs get them from someone they know.
Proper drug disposal also is an environmental issue. Unused medications should not be flushed down the toilet or dumped down the drain.
Unwanted medications can also be disposed of year-round at one of at several collection sites across Clark County. Controlled substances, such as pain killers and tranquilizers, can be taken to participating law enforcement agencies. Non-controlled substances, such as over-the-counter medications, can be taken to local participating pharmacies. All unwanted medications will be accepted at the Sept. 26 event.
For more information on both types of disposal, visit Medications at RecyclingA-Z.com.
