Sequim Gazette staff

Local law enforcement will be at two locations collecting unused prescription medication this Saturday as part of the annual National Drug Take Back Day.

 

Clallam County residents can dispose of their prescription medication from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Sequim Police Department office, 325 N. Fifth Ave., or Jim’s Pharmacy, 424 E. Second St. in Port Angeles. There is no charge to participate and no questions will be asked.

 

The Annual National Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department and Jim’s Pharmacy.

 

Last year, the Sequim Police Department collected an estimated 250-300 pounds of prescription drugs.

 

Jim Borte, Clallam County Sheriff’s spokesman, said prescription drugs are often a target of criminals who either use the drugs themselves or sell them on the black market. The illegal misuse of prescription drugs by anyone other than the designated patient is a criminal offense and is extremely dangerous, sometimes resulting in serious health problems, deadly overdoses and motor vehicle crashes, he said.

 

Improperly disposing of prescription drugs by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in household trash can be extremely harmful to people, animals and the environment, he said.