|
 
Unwanted and unused prescription medications are a problem; they
can pose health risks as a result of accidental
poisonings or intentional misuse, as well as
environmental risks if they make their way into the
environment.
Removing these medications
from the home eliminates the possibility of them getting
into the wrong hands, thereby reducing the risks of
accidental poisonings and prescription drug abuse.
Link to Opioids and Teens. Also,
taking the time to dispose of medications through the
public collection network means that unwanted
medications won’t end up down the drain. Septic systems
and even the wastewater treatment system (sewer) are not
designed to, nor are they capable of, removing all
medications from treated wastewater. Levels of some
medications are virtually unchanged after treatment,
meaning that these drugs enter the environment through
discharges or land application (biosolids). Evidence is
mounting that indicates that medications in our
waterways are affecting aquatic organisms.
To make disposing of these medications easy and
convenient for county residents, Thurston County Public
Health & Social Services in cooperation with the
Washington State Department of Ecology, the Thurston
County Sheriff’s office, and local police departments
have teamed up to provide a number of convenient
drop-off locations for used medications.
Please note: none
of the locations listed accept sharps (needles),
thermometers, bloody or infectious wastes, or wastes
from medical businesses. If you use
sharps, learn how to dispose of
them safely.
Also, please keep in mind that the drop boxes are designed for
collection of prescription medications only. Please take
items like shampoos, lotions, vitamins and over the
counter medications to HazoHouse for
disposal.
Medicine Take Back Sites (Drop Boxes)
The following sites accept prescription medications, including
controlled substances*, prescription samples, pet
medications, medicated ointments or lotions, inhalers
and liquid medications in leak proof containers.
We recommend that you call locations in advance
to make sure that the hours are current and that the
drop box is not currently full.
Kaiser Permanente - pharmacy
700 Lilly Rd. NE, Olympia |
| |
Kaiser Permanente, West Olympia-pharmacy
1200 Cooper Point Rd. SW, Ste. 100 Olympia |
| |
Martin’s Southgate
Drug
5201 Capitol Blvd. SW, Tumwater |
| |
QFC Pharmacy
4775 Whitman Ln. SE, Lacey |
| |
Ralph’s Thriftway
Pharmacy
1908 Fourth Ave. East, Olympia |
| |
| Rite Aid,
stores countywide |
|
Walgreens
1510 Cooper Pt. Rd. SW, Olympia |
|
Lacey Police Department
420 College St. SE, Lacey
Open Mon, Weds, Fri, 10am - 5pm |
|
Olympia Police
Department
601 Fourth Ave. East, Olympia City Hall
Open Mon - Fri, 10am - 3pm |
|
Tenino Police
Department
358 McClellan St. SE, Tenino
Open Mon - Fri, Call for appt. - 360-264-2626 |
|
Tumwater Police
Department
555 Israel Rd. SW, Tumwater
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day2 |
|
Yelm Police Department
206 McKenzie Ave. SE, Yelm
Open Mon - Thurs, 8am - 5pm,
Fri, 7:30 - 11:30am & 12:30 - 4:30pm |
This list is available for
download.
Last Resort
If you are unable to make it to one
of the drop-off locations, medications can be discarded
in your trash. This is not our recommended option, as
medications in the trash have the potential for misuse.
They can also make their way into the environment when
landfill liquids are sent to sewage treatment
facilities. If this is your only option, please take the
following steps:
| |
1. |
Take your prescription drugs out of their
original containers. |
| |
2. |
Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as
cat litter or used coffee grounds. |
| |
3. |
Put the mixture into a disposable container with
a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or a
sealable bag. |
| |
4. |
Conceal or remove any personal information,
including Rx number, on the empty containers by
covering it with black permanent marker or duct
tape, or by scratching it off. |
| |
5. |
Place the sealed container with the mixture, and
the empty drug containers, in the trash. |
If you have additional questions, please call the Solid &
Hazardous Waste hotline at 360-867-2664.
*Controlled substances are regulated by state and federal
laws designed to prevent addiction, abuse, physical
and mental harm, and illegal trafficking thereof. Such
drugs are illegal for sale or use, with the exception of
those dispensed under a physician's prescription for use
only by the intended person.
|
