Drug Take Back: Where you can drop unused prescription medicine, nicotine vape pens
David DavisGather up any unused prescription medications and bring them to one of a handful of locations staffed by local law enforcement this Saturday during a national Prescription Drug Take Back event.
During a similar event last October, collection sites across four northwest states took in 35,017 pounds of prescription medications, 12,492 pounds in Oregon alone.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 26 at drop-off locations across the county and accepts pills or patches, nicotine vape pens and e-cigarettes (with the batteries removed) but not liquids or needles.
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The semi-annual events are rooted in an effort by the Drug Enforcement Agency to promote safe disposal of drugs and to prevent people from flushing prescription medications, a practice now strongly discouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration.
Downtown Salem:
Peace Plaza, 500 block of Liberty Street SE: Salem Police Department will be at the drive-up area off of Liberty Street between the Salem Public Library and Salem City Hall.
East Salem:
Roth's Fresh Market, 702 Lancaster Drive NE: Marion County Sheriff's office will be in the parking lot.
Mill City:
Mill City City Hall, 444 S. 1st Ave: Linn County Sheriff's office will be at the city hall from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Mt. Angel:
Mt. Angel City Hall, 5 N. Garfield St.: Mt. Angel Police will be on hand at the city hall building on Garfield St.
Scio:
Scio Fire District, 38975 SW 6th Ave: Linn County Sheriff's office will be at the fire hall from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Additional event locations around the state and information about the national program can be found at DEATakeBack.com.
Permanent collection sites
The temporary collection sites for Saturday's event are in addition to permanent collection locations available around Marion County. Some locations may only be available during weekday business hours.
- Aumsville Police Dept. 597 Main Street, Aumsville
- Gervais City Hall:592 4th Street, Gervais
- Hubbard Police Dept. 3720 2nd St., Hubbard
- Keizer Police Department: 930 Chemawa Road, Keizer
- Marion County Sheriff's Office: 4000 Aumsville Highway, Salem
- Mt. Angel Police Dept.: 5 N Garfield St., Mt. Angel
- Salem Police Department: 555 Liberty St SE, Salem
- Silverton Police Department: 306 S. Water St, Silverton
- Stayton Police Department: 386 North Third Ave., Stayton
- Turner Police Department: 5255 Chicago St SE, Turner
- Walgreens in Salem: 1992 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem
- Woodburn Police Department: 1060 Mt. Hood Ave., Woodburn