and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and
unwanted prescription drugs.
Two local law enforcement
agencies are conducting a
Take-Back Day event to assist
Kitsap residents with the proper
disposal of unwanted
medications.
This is a national endeavor
under the auspices of the
U. S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.
Time & date: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
Locations:
· Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, 614 Division Street, Port Orchard. The sheriff’s
office is located directly adjacent to the Kitsap County Courthouse (east side).
· Kitsap County Sheriff’s Patrol Precinct, 3951 NW Randall Way, Silverdale,
between Haselwood Family YMCA and Walgreens Store.
· Bainbridge Island Police Department, 625 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island.
Type of drugs accepted: Prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications only.
All solid medications and non-injectable liquids, e.g., cough syrup, liquid Tylenol, etc.,
will be accepted. All drugs must be in some type of container or bag.
Types of drugs that can’t be accepted:
o Fentanyl (in any amount or form)
o Insulin
o Illicit substances, such as methamphetamine, heroin or marijuana
o Syringes and medical waste
The take back is anonymous. Those turning in medications do so without having to
provide any information.
This event is in addition to, and complements, the permanent drug take back program
now on-going in the lobbies of the sheriff’s Silverdale and Port Orchard offices, open
and available during regular business hours.
This occasion allows for a weekend disposal opportunity when residents may not be
able to drop off their unwanted medications on a weekday. It also allows for the proper
disposal of OTC medications which, due to sheer volume, can no longer be accepted at
sheriff’s office disposal sites.
Why: This initiative addresses vital public safety and public health concerns:
Last April U. S. residents turned in 456 tons of prescription drugs for proper disposal at
more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,600 of its state and local law
enforcement partners. Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its
partners have taken in more than 9.9 million pounds – almost 5,000 tons – of expired,
unused and unwanted prescription medications.
· Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse
and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U. S. are extremely high, as are
the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
· Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family
and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
· In addition, residents are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of
unused medicines -- flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash --
both pose potential safety and health hazards.
