Drug take back event collects 5,304 pounds of unwanted medication

BATTLE GROUND — A drug take back event organized by the state Health Care Authority and several other prevention coalitions in Southwest Washington received a lot of response. On Oct. 26, 1,733 people in Clark and Klickitat counties dropped off 5,304 pounds of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications, and 1,539 pounds of syringes to local law enforcement officers, pharmacists and prevention coalition staff at six locations. The sharps and medication were weighed and will be transported for incineration by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Agencies reported that this event saw an increase from April. “It’s really great to see our community so committed to keeping medications out of the environment and protecting their children and families from possible misuse of prescription drugs,” Kelley Groen-Sieckmann, community prevention project specialist at ESD 112, said in a news release. “Knowing that our prevention work is resonating with people is a huge win for prevention coalitions across the Southwest Washington region.”