Skagit County





PRESS RELEASE

October 19, 2022




*Contact*

Andrea Harrison

[email protected] <[email protected]>

360-416-1500






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 29, 2022

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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events are planned at several locations in Skagit County on Saturday, October 29th. This national initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for misuse of medications.

According to the Skagit County Coroner?s office [ [link removed] ], in 2021, there were 41 confirmed unintentional drug overdose deaths in Skagit County. Take Back Day events play a key role in public safety, providing easy and anonymous opportunities to remove medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse, and theft.

During the April 2022 event, more than 5,000 sites across the nation collected 360 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications. In Skagit County alone, 362 pounds of medications were collected across six sites.

The following locations will be holding take back events on October 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:


* *Anacortes:* Anacortes Police Department, 1218 24th Street
* *Mount Vernon:* Skagit Valley College, 2405 E. College Way
* *Sedro-Woolley:* Sedro-Woolley City Hall, 325 Metcalf Street

Skagit County Public Health will be participating in the Wellness Fair taking place at Sedro-Woolley City Hall. While disposing of your unused medications and recycling your empty pill bottles, stop by Public Health?s booth for free Naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, and behavioral health/substance use resources.

If you cannot attend a Take Back Day event, you can dispose of prescription medications, legally prescribed controlled substances (e.g., narcotics and stimulants), over-the-counter medicines, and pet medications at no-cost through the year-round Secure Medicine Return Program. Safe disposal can be made at any of the convenient drop box locations [ [link removed] ].

MED-Project also provides the option to safely and securely mail back your medications using pre-paid, pre-addressed mailers [ [link removed] ]. Standard mailers are available as well as special mailers for inhalers and pre-filled injector products. For more information about mail back services, visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

For updates and additional information about DEA?s Take Back events, please visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

Want to know more about Skagit County?s Secure Medicine Return program, substance use prevention, treatment, or local recovery supports? Visit www.skagitrising.org [ [link removed] ] or call Skagit County Public Health at (360) 416-1500.

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Skagit County [ [link removed] ]

SKAGIT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

County Commissioners: Lisa Janicki, Peter Browning, Ron Wesen
1800 Continental Place, Suite 100
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

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