This press release resulted in a front page article in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News Weekend edition.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Heather Coddington
208.746.8960
heather@northwestmedia.net
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP-OFF LOCATIONS ADDED IN WHITMAN COUNTY
Every day in the United States, 2,500 kids will abuse prescription drugs for the first time. In order to provide a safe way for community members to get rid of expired drugs, two prescription drug drop-off locations are being installed in Whitman County.
There will be a drop-off location in Colfax and Pullman. The Colfax disposal box will be located in the foyer of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, 411 North Mill Street. The Pullman disposal box is in the foyer of the Pullman Police Department, 260 SE Kamiaken Street.
“We’ve been working with local authorities to implement a safe disposal method for prescription drugs because teens, and some adults, think they’re a safe way to get high,” Sigrid Gauger with Palouse River Counseling said. “Abusing prescription drugs is risky. It can result in poisoning, and even death.”
Flushing old prescriptions down the drain was once the recommended method of disposal, but isn’t anymore because it pollutes the water supply and is harmful to wildlife.
The proper disposal instructions for prescriptions are posted on the side of the disposal boxes. You will be asked to write the drug names on a provided plastic bag and take the original bottles home to remove all prescription labels containing patient information. You should shred the prescription labels and throw away the empty, unlabeled containers.
For more information about prescription drug abuse or disposal, visit wawatchout.com or contact the Palouse River Counseling WATCH OUT! program at 509.595.4141.
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The WATCH OUT! prevention program is supported through a grant from the WA Department of Social & Health Services – Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery and produced by Palouse River Counseling.
Palouse River Counseling is located at 340 NE Maple Street in Pullman and provides mental health and chemical dependency services.