However, read this to learn where you can still take your outdated or unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs for disposal …
Neighbors Paul Panganiban and Yvonne Panganiban turn in unused medications, with the help of City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Coordinator Katherine Anderson.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After hosting several prescription and over-the-counter drug “turn-in” events in outer East Portland since 2010, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), and City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) Crime Prevention, held their last such event on September 27, at PPB Southeast Precinct.
> See our story about the first event,
“‘Drug Turn-in’ bags pounds of prescription narcotics”:
CLICK HERE.
“This is our last event in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Nationwide ‘Drug Turn-In Day’,” confirmed ONI Crime Prevention Coordinator Jenni Pullen.
Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team Officer Mike Chapman lifts one of several sealed 35-pound boxes of turned-in prescription medicines into a secure transport vehicle.
“The DEA succeeded in having regulations changed – and will now permit hospitals and pharmacies take back medications, on-site,” Pullen said.
“So, the DEA will no longer host a drug turn-in days, because those in our community should now have more opportunities, on a regular basis, to safely dispose of outdated or unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs,” Pullen told East Portland News.
Another part of the effort, Pullen said, has been to encourage residents to clean up their medicine cabinets, and get rid of prescription medication, and expired medications and preparations.
“Don’t’ leave them sitting around for teenagers to get a hold of and potentially use. Also, don’t flush them – help keep our waterways clean!” Pullen added. “Bring them in, and they will be disposed of in a filtered incineration process.”
Here’s another bag full of drugs that won’t be flushed into our waterways, put in a landfill – or be misused by teenagers.
Not all hospitals or pharmacies will be participating, Pullen conceded. “However people in East Portland will still have places to drop them off,” she said. “We’ll continue to have Prescription Drug Drop Boxes in our police precincts, available Monday through Friday during business hours.”
In outer East Portland, Pullen reminded that East Precinct maintains a secure drop-off box in the lobby. “It’s open Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.”
And, unused prescriptions can be also be dropped off, 24 hours a day, at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Hanson building, located at 12240 NE Glisan St. 97230.
Here’s what can be dropped off:
- Prescription medications and samples
- All over the counter medications,
- Vitamins,
- Pet medications,
- Medicated ointments, and,
- Liquid medication in leak proof containers.
NOT accepted at the drop-off sites are “sharps” and medical waste; Thermometers; Syringes; IV bags; bloody or infectious waste; hydrogen peroxide; aerosol cans; inhalers; and EpiPens.
Retiring City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Coordinator Katherine Anderson takes a bag of medications at the “drive up” Drug Turn-in event.
By the way, after their last Drug Turn-in event, Pullen asked to thank the community for their participation. “A total of six boxes of drugs, weighing 35 lbs each, were turned in. And, we thank you!”
© 2014 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News