County-wide local law enforcement agencies, including the Sequim Police Department, will participate in the Nationwide Prescription Take-Back Day sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Individuals can drop off expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Sequim Police Department, 152 W. Cedar St.

Individuals may also drop off vaping pens without the internal batteries for destruction. Staff and volunteers will be on location to accept the items.

At the same time, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the Port Angeles Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition will accept unused and unwanted prescription drugs at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. Drive through in front of the incident command motorhome near the courthouse in the main parking lot.

Drugs can also be dropped off at the Sequim Police Department during regular office hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked, event organizers note. The collection service will include both controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications. The Police Department will also accept illegal drugs for destruction, though syringes and medical waste will not be accepted.

Individuals are reminded that you should never flush prescription drugs down the toilet or sink drain.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last fall, Americans turned in a total of 300 tons pounds of prescription drugs at 4,675 collection sites. The Drug Enforcement Administration and its law enforcement partners has now collected more than nine tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010.

For more information, call the Sequim Police Department during business hours at 360-683-7227.