Clark County residents can safely dispose of all medications during free collection events this month in Vancouver and Battle Ground. Both events will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at:
- Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, 3510 S.E. 164th Ave.
- Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. First St.
Similar events held at Clark College and the Battle Ground Police Department last April collected more than 1,100 pounds of unwanted medications.
The Oct. 26 collection events are sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Environmental Services and the Battle Ground Police Department, in partnership with C-Tran and PREVENT! The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Clark County and Battle Ground.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the country. The 2010 Washington State Healthy Survey found that one in 10 high school seniors admitted misusing prescription drugs in the previous 30 days.
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 also can be disposed 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 (controlled and non-controlled) will be accepted at the Oct. 26 events.
For more information on both types of disposal, visit “Medications” at RecyclingA-Z.com.
For more information about disposal or recycling options, call Clark County Environmental Services at (360) 397-2121 ext. 4352.
