Clark County Prescription (Rx) Drug Take Back Collects Half Ton of Medications

The Clark County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with the Clark County Environmental Services, PREVENT! Coalition, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Battle Ground Police Department and Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance are cheering another successful Prescription (Rx) Drug Take Back on April 27, 2013. The final numbers are in and, with the help of over 50 volunteers at two locations, Clark County was able to service 502 households and collect over 1,030 pounds of medical waste in four hours.  

This year's event expanded to provide two drop off locations in the county, Clark College and Battle Ground Police Department. The expansion of services allowed easier access for community members, increased awareness, additional volunteers, and resulted in a 120% increase in collection. 

The DEA sponsored Rx Drug Take Back event is part of a larger effort to reduce and prevent prescription drug abuse in America. The 2012 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey found that one in 10 high school seniors admitted misusing prescription drugs in the previous 30 days and the Partnership at Drugfree.org reports one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime. More than 70 percent of youth who abuse prescription drugs get them from someone they know. 

Responsible medication ownership is a critical component to reduce this misuse and abuse. Proper disposal of medications reduces access for our youth and keeps these medications out of our landfills and water supply. The National Rx Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. Clark County community members can dispose of their unwanted or out-of-date medications anytime throughout the year at all law enforcement agencies during normal business hours. Visit www.rxreturnclarkcounty.org  to find your nearest drop off location.

The PREVENT! Coalition would like to specially thank Sergeant Shane Gardner with the  Clark County Sheriff's Office, Jim Mansfield with Clark County Environmental Services,  Police Chief Bob Richardson and staff of the Battle Ground Police Department, Colleen Dunegan and the Vancouver Public Schools Medical Magnet Students, Strong Teens Against Substance Hazards and Abuse (STASHA), Mt. View High School Prevention Club, Addiction Counseling Education Students of Clark College (ACES), Restorative Community Services, Battle Ground High School Health and Science Occupations Students,  BGHS and Prairie HS ROTC cadets, Rocksolid Teen Center, Students of Ridgefield and Hockinson High Schools, the US Forest Service, Ridgefield Police Department and members of the Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance. In addition to these amazing volunteers we would like to thank these local businesses for their support: Central Park and Battle Ground Burgervilles, Battle Ground McDonalds, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Rocky's Pizza, Detroit Pizza, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut.  

Rx Drug Take Back- 2013 Safe and Secure Disposal

What: Free drop-off of all out-of-date and unused medications. We take all medications (including narcotics, prescription medications, controlled substances, over the counter (OTC), and pet medications) Just drive up and hand them over to local law enforcement officers.

When:  April 27, 2013 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Where: 2 Drop off locations. (Map and Directions Below)
                          Clark College: Purple Parking Lot #1 (by the soccer fields)
                          Battle Ground Police Dept.

Controlled Substances

Unwanted medications include prescription or over-the-counter drugs that are outdated, not wanted, or no longer needed. People often inherit prescription or over-the-counter drugs when a relative or friend has passed away.

Why is improper disposal dangerous?

Proper drug disposal is an emerging issue in the environmental arena. All medications applied or ingested may be excreted or washed into sewage systems and discharged to the environment. The risks posed to humans by long-term consumption of minute quantities of medications in drinking water, as well as the risks to the environment by continual exposure are unknown. Flushing unwanted medications down the toilet or throwing them in the garbage just adds to the problem.

Proper Disposal

Controlled Substances are drugs or chemicals whose manufacture, possession and use are regulated by by the government. In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration is responsible for suppressing illegal drug use and distribution by enforcing the Controlled Substances Act. Controlled Substances may include illegal drugs and/or prescription medications. Controlled substances from residents can only be collected and disposed of by law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement agencies listed below will accept unwanted medications at no charge if they:

• Are in the original container with the name of the medicine clearly visible.
• Are in a container that is not leaking and is capable of being sealed.
• Have all patient information removed or obscured.

Take unwanted controlled substances to:

• Battle Ground Police Department
• Camas Police Department
• Clark County Sheriff's Office West Precinct
• Clark County's Sheriff's Office Central Precinct
• Clark County Sheriff's Headquarters
• La Center Police Department
• Ridgefield Police Department
• Vancouver Police Department
• Washougal Police Department

These are national links with information about Prescription Drug Abuse in America. We encourage you to check out these links, watch the videos and learn more on how to keep our community free of Rx Drug Abuse.