Drug Take-Back Locations

Prescription Drug Takeback

Do you have old, unused, unwanted, or expired medications? Don't flush them down the toilet. Dispose of them safely with NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) passed new rules that allow community members to safely and discretely discard unused, unwanted medicine at participating pharmacies.  You may dispose of both Over-The-Counter (OTC) and prescription medications.

To find nearby locations on a map, visit the Oregon Drug Take-Back Program at https://medtakebackoregon.org/

Alternately, to quickly find a list of participating locations within a given distance from home, search the DEA drug disposal site. 

 

Please note:

  • Medicines must be in the original containers or in a sealed bag.
  • You may mark out your name or any other identifiable information.
  • Some items are prohibited:
    • No sharps
    • No illicit drugs
    • No Herbal remedies
    • No vitamins or supplements
    • No personal care products
    • No medical devices
    • No batteries
    • No mercury-containing thermometers
    • No pet pesticide products
    • no animal medicines
    • No biologics

 

What else can you do?

  • Only buy enough medication that you can use before it expires.
  • If you know a friend who uses the same over-the-counter medication, consider combining purchases.
  • If you must discard old medication, place the medicine in a bag and put it in the trash.  It will still end up in the environment, but the process of leaching from the landfill will be much slower, and soil organisms may break down some of the chemicals.
  • Consider buying fewer personal care products and using those you do buy sparingly.
  • Never put medicines or leftover personal care products down the toilet unless the label specifically instructs you to do so.
  • When you buy prescription medicine, ask your pharmacist if she can tell you the expiration date from the bulk packaging in addition to the date on the label (always one year from when you purchase the drugs).
  • Ask your pharmacist if the drugs will become dangerous after expiration. Some drugs lose some potency, but can still provide some benefits.

 

PAST COLLECTION EVENTS 

Since 2011, the City of Corvallis participated in several drug collection events sponsored by the DEA.  Because there were no other options, the DEA made these events possible with the assistance of local law enforcement.  Events in Corvallis over the years collected almost 11,000 pounds of medications from over 2750 households.  Over the years, nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners collected and disposed of over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.

The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates that 40% of all prescribed medicine goes unused. Most prescription medication abuse occurs when drugs are obtained from family and friends. As a water, wastewater, and stormwater utility, Corvallis Public Works also is interested in removing these products from our watersheds to protect our drinking water supply and the aquatic organisms that live in our streams and rivers.

The DEA published new rules on September 9, 2014 that are now in effect.  Since these rules now allow additional opportunities for drug disposal receptacles the DEA will no longer host collection events.

 

For more information, e-mail Public Works or call at 541-766-6916.

 

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