FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 29, 2022

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events are planned at several locations in Skagit County on Saturday, October 29^th. 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, 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 29^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

Anacortes: Anacortes Police Department, 1218 24^th 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.

MED-Project also provides the option to safely and securely mail back your medications using pre-paid, pre-addressed mailers. Standard mailers are available as well as special mailers for inhalers and pre-filled injector products. For more information about mail back services, visit https://med-project.org/locations/washington/mail-back-services/.

For updates and additional information about DEA?s Take Back events, please visit https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

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

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