The Port Angeles Police Department and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the free DEA National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The two Drug Take Back locations will be in the main parking lot of the Clallam County Courthouse located at 223 E. 4th Street in Port Angeles, and the Chinook Pharmacy located at 11 S. Forks Avenue in Forks.

The free events will be staffed by the Port Angeles Police Department and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. Citizens will be able to drop off potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. No questions will be asked and individuals will not be asked for their identification. Individuals may bring controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs, as well as, over the counter (OTC) medications to the collection sites.

To help combat the continued vaping health crisis across the country, vaping pens and cartridges will also be collected (please remove batteries). However, Intra-venous solutions, injectables, syringes, or medical waste will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens. The free events are completely anonymous and no identification is required in order to participate.

This will be the 18th National Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency in cooperation with participating local law enforcement agencies.

Unused, expired, and unneeded medicines can be a serious danger to those living in the residence, especially for young children and pets. Such drugs and medications can be stolen, misused and abused by others. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of deaths, poisonings and dangerous overdoses that occur.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Drugs that are flushed down the drain or put in garbage containers can be very harmful to humans, animals and the environment. So be safe, be smart, and protect the environment by participating in the free National Drug Take Back Day Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Independently though Med-Project LLC, individuals can drop off their unwanted drugs and medications during the rest of the year at Med-Project kiosks.