The Benton County Sheriff’s Office plans to host a drug take-back event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in Kalapuya Building parking lot in Corvallis. The event allows the public to safely dispose of expired or unused medications.
Organizers will have drive-through disposal access set up at the site, which is located at 4500 SW Research Way. Those dropping off are asked to enter the parking lot off Research Way and follow the signs and directions of the volunteers.
Items not allowed for safety reasons include thermometers, intravenous solutions, needles, EpiPens or medical waste of any kind, organizers said. Illegal drugs are also not accepted.
Organizers said medications can only be accepted from individual households, not from businesses such as nursing homes, doctor’s offices or veterinary clinics.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office website has a complete list of restricted items.
This event is offered as a public safety service “to help keep prescription drugs out of the hands of kids or others who might abuse them,” BCSO said. “Misuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem, especially with teens and young adults.”
BCSO said that improperly disposing of medications — by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — can lead to drinking water contamination. Not all drugs can be treated at wastewater treatment plants.