Medicine disposal slated for next week

People with excess medication will be able to dispose of it safely, and for free, at three collection sites next week.

Clark County will be collecting unwanted medicine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Battle Ground Police Department, 507 S.W. First St.; Clark College’s purple parking lot, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way; and at Kaiser Permanente’s Cascade Park Medical Office, 12607 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.

During last year’s collection, more than 500 people brought in more than 1,100 pounds of unwanted medication for disposal by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, more than 400 pounds of paper, cardboard, glass and plastic containers were recycled.

These events are sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Environmental Services, Battle Ground and Vancouver police departments, and Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with Clark College, PREVENT! The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Clark County and PREVENT! The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Battle Ground.

Concern about the abuse of prescription drugs, especially among teenagers, has placed greater emphasis on proper medication disposal. In addition, trace levels of medications have been found in ground and surface water. To protect water, unwanted medications should not be put into the sewer system.

All unwanted medications, controlled and non-controlled, will be accepted at the April 26 collections. But unwanted medication also can be disposed of at several sites across Clark County. Controlled substances, such as pain killers and tranquilizers, can be taken to participating law enforcement agencies. Noncontrolled substances, such as over-the-counter medications, can be taken to participating pharmacies.

For more information about disposal or recycling options for other materials, call Environmental Services at 360-397-2121 ext. 4352.