By Brian Rader

San Juan Sheriff's Department joins with San Juans Prevention Coalition to collect and dispose of hundreds of pounds of unused prescription drugs

It is time to take a look inside your medicine cabinet.  Anything expired?  Anything dusty from years of not being used?  Anything where the label is faded and unreadable, and you don’t really know what is in there anymore?  Have you been holding onto old medication because you simply don’t know how to get rid of it easily and safely?

Great news!  The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition has teamed up with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department and your local pharmacy to provide a free and easy way to get rid of ALL of our unwanted medications.  This Wednesday, November 3, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can stop by any of the 3 pharmacies and drop off your unwanted medications for free and safe disposal.

Taking advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of old medications is a great way to make sure that your medications don’t get abused, end up polluting our drinking water, or poisoning fish or wildlife.  And, did I mention it is free???  And easy!

As you are cleaning the prescription medications out your medicine cabinet, don’t forget your unwanted over-the-counter medications, as well.  It is really important that drugs like aspirin and other pain relievers, sinus medications, and sleep aides NOT get flushed down the toilet.   Instead, bring them into your island pharmacy on Wednesday:

  • Friday Harbor Drug
  • Lopez Island Pharmacy
  • Ray’s Pharmacy.

Brian Rader is the San Juan County Pollution Prevention Specialist.  You can reach Brian at 370-7581 or brianr@sanjuanco.com

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