Crime & Safety

Discard Unwanted Meds At West Pierce Fire & Rescue On Oct. 29

During a "Take Back" event in April, the University Place, South Hill and Edgewood sites collected 305 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs.

On Oct. 29, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department will collect and safely dispose of unwanted or expired medicines as part of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency's third National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., members of the public can anonymously drop off medications, including controlled substances, at:

, 3631 Drexler Drive West, University Place.

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• Pierce County Sheriff's Department South Hill Precinct, 271 John Bananola Way East, Puyallup.

• Sprinker Recreation Center parking lot, 14824 C St. South, Tacoma.

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"Take back" programs are a good way to remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs and controlled substances from homes where they may endanger children, pets and others. At the most recent Pierce County event held April 30, the South Hill, University Place and Edgewood drop-off sites collected 305 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs. For the October event, the Edgewood site has been replaced by a new site in the Sprinker Recreation Center parking lot.

"It is important to get outdated and unwanted medications out of the house as they pose a danger to young children, are abused by others or can end up being dumped in our water system," said Pierce County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Kelly. "This service is free and easy. Just drop off the old medications at the closest site, no questions asked."

Drug collection events also reduce the amount of medicine entering the environment. Medications flushed down the toilet can eventually wind up in water bodies such as Puget Sound. Sewage treatment systems are effective at removing solids and harmful bacteria, but they are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Even medicines placed in the garbage may remain chemically active and escape into the environment.

"Help us keep drugs out of the sewer system," said Tim Ramsaur, Pierce County Wastewater Utility manager. "Safe disposal of unwanted medicine plays an important role in public health and in improving wastewater quality before it's discharged to the environment."

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department maintains a directory featuring 23 Pierce County year-round medication take back sites here. Most are law enforcement agencies, but some pharmacies also participate. Only law enforcement agencies can accept controlled substances. Go to http://takebackyourmeds.org for more information about medicine take back programs throughout Washington state.

The DEA conducted the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Sept. 25, 2010 in coordination with 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies across the United States. Citizens turned in more than 121 tons of pills, including nearly 9,000 pounds in Washington. More about the DEA National Take Back Initiative is available here.


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