October 11, 2019
October 26 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day!
As part of Take Back Day, prescription drug collection locations will be open on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.at the following Skagit County locations:
- Anacortes: Anacortes Police Department, 1218 24th St, Anacortes, WA 98221
- Burlington: Grafton Park, 941 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington, WA 98233
- Concrete: Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad St, Concrete, WA 98237
- La Conner: Swinomish Tribal Police Department, 17353 Reservation Rd, La Conner, WA, 98257
- Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Pl, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
(FREE medication lock boxes available at this location)
- Sedro-Woolley: United General District 304, 1990 Hospital Dr., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
(FREE medication lock bags available at this location)
This event is for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication in a safe and easy way. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Medications can remain in their original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in their original containers will also be accepted.
The National take-back event helps support two campaigns from the Washington State Health Care Authority – Starts with One, and Take Back Your Meds. These campaigns inform and educate youth, young adults, parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, use, and disposal.
Disposal of waste medicines is also available every day in Skagit County through the Secure Medicine Return Program operated by MED-Project LLC. Prescription medicines, legally prescribed controlled substances (e.g. narcotics and stimulants), over the counter medicines, and pet medications can all be disposed year round via the following MED-Project options:
- Drop Boxes: Deposit medicine in drop boxes located at select Skagit County pharmacies and law enforcement agencies. Current Drop Box locations are listed at: https://med-project.org/. Continue to check the website as the program will expand collection locations throughout 2019.
- Mailer Sent to Individuals: Order pre-paid, pre-addressed no-cost medicine return mailers, to be sent directly to your home. Please go to https://med-project.org/ or call 1-844-633-7765 to order mailers. You can get standard mailers or special mailers for inhalers and prefilled auto-injectors.
- Mailers Distribution Locations: Pick up a no-cost mailer at participating municipal building like fire stations, city halls and libraries. Continue to check https://med-project.org/ for an up to date and ever growing list of mailer distribution location near you.
According to the Washington State Health Care Authority, “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 take-back events or disposing of waste medicine through MED-Project is one thing that individuals can do to help positively impact the opioid crisis and protect loved ones.
For more information about the HCA Starts with One and Take Back Your Meds campaigns, visit www.getthefactsrx.com.
For additional information on the Secure Medicine Return Program please visit www.skagitcounty.net/medicinereturn or call Skagit County Department of Public Health at 360-416-1500 |
