More and more Clark County residents are taking advantage of free collections to dispose of medication safely.
Recent events collected about 1,300 pounds of unwanted medication, syringes and inhalers from nearly 600 people. The total was up from 1,100 pounds in similar efforts last spring. About 5,800 pounds have been gathered during eight events since 2010.
Concern about misuse of prescription drugs, especially among teens, has increased public participation in safe disposal.
In addition, trace amounts of medication have been found in ground and surface water. To prevent pollution, unwanted medication should not be put in toilets or dumped down drains.
Collections were sponsored April 26 by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Clark County Environmental Services, PREVENT! Coalition, Kaiser Permanente, Southwest Washington Pharmacy Association, Vancouver and Battle Ground police departments and Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance.
“The response to these collections and other disposal events shows that Clark County residents recognize the importance of proper disposal,” said Don Benton, Environmental Services director. “The Drug Enforcement Administration, PREVENT, local pharmacies and other partners deserve our thanks for keeping all of us safer.”
For more information, visit:
• www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/A-Z/Materials/Meds.html
• www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/A-Z/Materials/Meds.html
• www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/recyclingA-Z.html
• www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/recyclingA-Z.html” RecyclingA-Z.com
• Or call Environmental Services at (360) 397-2121 ext. 4352.
