Vancouver, WA – Clark County residents can dispose of expired or unused medications on Saturday, Oct. 22, at three drug take-back locations in Vancouver and Battle Ground.

All locations will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are:

• PeaceHealth Memorial Health Center, 100 E. 33rd St.
• Kaiser Permanente-Cascade Park, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.
• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. 1st St., Battle Ground

All unwanted medications will be accepted at the locations.

Unwanted medications also can be disposed of year-round 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.

Unused medicines left in the home increase opportunities for drug abuse. More than half of people 12 or older who used pain relievers non-medically report getting the drug from a friend or relative. Reducing access could lead to lower overdose death rates, which have increased nearly 140 percent since 2000.

Proper drug disposal also is an environmental issue. Unused medications should not be flushed down the toilet or dumped down the drain as they can contaminate water systems.

The take-back event is sponsored by PREVENT!, a local nonprofit aimed at curbing teen alcohol and drug abuse, along with Clark County Public Health, Vancouver Police Department, Battle Ground Police Department, Kaiser Permanente, PeaceHealth and Prevent Together-Battle Ground Prevention Alliance.

For more information on medication disposal, search “medications” at RecyclingA-Z.com.

CONTACT
Sally Fisher
Public Health
(360) 397-2121 ext. 4939
sally.fisher@clark.wa.gov