Unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs will be accepted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office October 22nd, 2016 as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
However, this year, rather than asking citizens to come to the Sheriff’s Office in Albany to turn in prescription drugs, Sheriff Bruce Riley will have staff traveling to four different locations around the county to accept controlled, uncontrolled and over-the-counter substances. Items may be in their original container, or removed from the container (packaging) and placed directly into the disposal box. Only pills and patches are accepted (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)
“Prescription drug abuse, the misuse of medication, and accidental poisoning are serious threats to our children, and our community,” Sheriff Riley said. “The DEA-sponsored Take-Back Day is an excellent way for the public to properly dispose of potentially dangerous drugs in a way that has little to no adverse impact on our environment.” At the conclusion of the Take-Back Day, the disposal boxes are sealed, and transported to a local incinerator for destruction.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly 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, Americans 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.
To accommodate citizens throughout Linn County, Sheriff Bruce Riley will have deputies traveling to four different locations to meet the public, and pick up their unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs. Please see the list of locations and times below. In addition, citizens are welcome to stop by the main Sheriff’s Office/Jail at 1115 Jackson Street SE in Albany, Oregon and place their prescription medications in our secure drop-box location, 24-hours a day.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website.
Dates and Times for Prescription Drug Take-Back Locations:
- Mill City – City Hall/Sheriff’s Substation from 9:00AM to 10:00AM
- Scio Rural Fire Hall/Sheriff’s Substation from 10:30AM to 11:30AM
- Brownsville Sheriff’s Office Substation from 12:30PM to 1:30PM
- Harrisburg City Hall/Sheriff’s Office Substation from 2:00PM to 3:00PM
For directions to any of our substations, visit the Sheriff’s Office Locations page.