<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Health officer Gary M. Goldbaum of the Snohomish Health District demonstrates the use of a new safe drug disposal box during its unveiling Nov. 30 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Law enforcement officials demonstrate the use of a new safe drug disposal box during its unveiling Nov. 30 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. From left, the law enforcement officials are Monte Beaton, a sergeant for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, and State Patrol Sgt. Ron Turk and Trooper Nick King. Speaking to the audience is Pat Slack (far right), commander of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Project adds drop boxes for drugs

By Mina Williams
Enterprise editor

Law enforcement agencies in Snohomish County have banded together to help citizens get unused and unwanted medicines, including narcotics, out of medicine cabinets and out of harm's way.

Free and secure drop-off sites are now at 28 locations across the county.

Police stations in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek and Mountlake Terrace have installed specially designed drop boxes as part of the Secure Medicine Disposal pilot program. Station staff will have specially marked bags for consumers to put their unwanted medications in before slipping them into the drop box. The only information required is the consumer's ZIP code, which is being collected for research purposes.

Prior to the Secure Medicine Disposal program, medications could only be returned to sites at commercial and clinical pharmacies. Certain classes of drugs, including narcotics, could not be accepted.

“It used to be that kids would get into liquor cabinets. Now it's the medicine cabinet,” said Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick at the announcement of the program. “Pharmaceuticals are the drugs of choice for 12- and 13-year-olds. It's the first step to illicit drug use. The drop-offs will eliminate temptation and will save lives.”

Statistics show more people die of prescription overdose than on state highways, said Commander Pat Slack of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force. “This is not a law enforcement problem. It is an environmental and a human being problem.” However, with no legislation on the books enabling the disposal of narcotics, law enforcement is the only agency able to receive unused and unwanted medications for disposal.

“The cavalry is on its way,” U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee said. He announced that he continues to champion a Safe Drug Disposal Act at the national level. “The ideas coming up in Snohomish County are common-sense things to do. It should be replicated around the country to create a legal route (for drug disposal) and protocol while addressing environmental concerns.”

The concept for the program was born in British Columbia. Administrative costs are shouldered by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

“There are lots of venues now for safe drug disposal,” said Shirley Reitz, associate director for pharmacy clinical services at Group Health Cooperative. “Convenience is key.”

If unable to get to a drop box, Reitz suggests that medications be crushed and mixed with kitty litter or coffee grounds, or dissolved in water, before putting them in a container destined for the garbage.

“We really don't want people to flush their medications down the toilet, or toss unadulterated medications into the trash,” she said. “There is concern about the active pharmaceutical agents finding their way into the water system. Waste water treatment may not remove all the agents.”