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  • Dispose of unused medicine at prescription drug take-back day

    The annual DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at multiple locations (see below for list of nearby drop-off sites).

    To prevent prescription drug abuse, take advantage of this opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet and disposed of expired or unused medication.

    In the past 12 months in Pierce County, MultiCare Health System hospitals have treated 1,278 poisonings due to drugs, medicinal agents and biological agents. Of those, 844 were attributed to analgesics, antipyretics, antirheumatics, sedatives, hypnotics and psychotropic drugs (the data didn’t distinguish between prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drugs).

    In Pierce County, more than 7 million prescriptions were dispensed in 2009. Conservative estimates put the number of excess prescriptions in Pierce County at 856,004. In the most conservative estimates, excess supply is calculated as 11 percent of all prescriptions (although recent U.S. Senate investigations place the excess supply figure at closer to 40 percent).

    The take-back event accepts prescription drugs, over-the-counter solid medications, capsules and tablets. Not accepted are intravenous solutions, injectables, needles or illicit substances.

    Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds — 188 tons — of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA.

    On Saturday, local drop-off sites include:

    • Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 C St. S., Tacoma.
    • Pierce County Sheriff’s Department South Hill Precinct, 271 John Bananola Way E., Puyallup.
    • Puyallup Police Department, 311 W. Pioneer.
    • University Place Public Safety Building, 3631 Drexler Drive W.
    • Sumner Police Department, 1104 Maple St.
    • Federal Way City Hall, 33325 Eighth Ave. S.
    In The News Tribune: "Drop off unwanted drugs safely, locally on Saturday"

    Posted on Oct 27, 2011 in News Release