County and local law enforcement will be participating in the free National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drug Take Back locations will be in the main parking lot of the County Courthouse located at 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles. The Port Angeles location will be staffed by the Port Angeles Police Department Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clallam County Health Department.

In Forks citizens can drop off items in front of Chinook Pharmacy also from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. local and county law enforcement will be on site.

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 Courthouse collection site. However, Intravenous solutions, injectibles, syringes, or medical waste will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens. The free event is completely anonymous and no identification is required in order to participate. This will be the Eleventh 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 on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at a location near you.

During the rest of the year, individuals can drop off their unwanted drugs and medications at the Sequim Police Department located in the Civic Center 152 W. Cedar St. in Sequim and at the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office in the County Courthouse 223 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles during their regular business hours from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, except for holidays.