The Second Annual Drug Take-Back Event is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Justice. Owners of expired, unwanted or unused pharmaceutical drugs will be able to dispose of them safely and for free at drop off locations throughout the United States. The first of these programs took place in September of last year, Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Meyers tells KBKW their drop site collected 89 pounds of unwanted pharmaceuticals in four hours, however Meyers said "Currently there is no mechanism to return controlled substances or prescription medications other than to law enforcement, we're the only ones who can legally collect it." (Click the story title to hear a February 17th interview with Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Meyers on this issue)
Legislation in Olympia seeks to put the cost of disposal on the companies that manufacture the drugs. Meyers said without some kind of funding, the process of eliminating collected drugs can get expensive to local law enforcement. Beginning in March, anyone wishing to take advantage of the event will be able to learn the location of drop off sites by visiting www.dea.gov and clicking on the "GOT DRUGS" tab. Once there, you will be asked to provide your zip code to learn the locations of the closest drop off sites. Currently the site will tell visitors that drop off locations are being collected and that listings will be posted as soon as possible. Law enforcement personnel will collect the drugs, which will be incinerated and not released into the water table. - This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.
The program is anonymous.
Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.
Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.
related article
| 