Skamania Residents Can Dispose of Prescription Drugs at Take-Back Event

Stevenson, WA: On Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and One Prevention Alliance will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill misuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Sheriff’s Office at 200 Vancouver Avenue, Stevenson, WA 98648. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. It will also be very easy; you won’t even need to get out of your car.

This take-back event supports a campaign from the Washington State Health Care Authority, called Starts with One (getthefactsrx.com). This campaign informs and educates young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, and disposal of prescription opioids.

According to the campaign website, “75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them — usually taken from a friend or family member.” Simple steps, like safely disposing of medications, can stop them from being misused.

Participating in these take-back events is one thing that individuals can do to help address the opioid epidemic and protect their loved ones.

One Prevention Alliance (OPA) will be giving away medication lock boxes so that families can secure their medication by locking them up. Whether or not you have unused medication to dispose of on October 29th, you are invited to “drive thru” to acquire a FREE locking medicine box. OPA will also be giving away free coloring books!

Learn more about the event by contacting: Karen Douglass karen.douglass@esd112.org 360-952-3330