DRIVE-THRU PHARMACY DRUG TAKE-BACK HOSTED
The Woodland Police Department held a Drive-Thru Pharmaceutical Drug Take-Back event that allowed people to drop off expired or unused drugs.
The Saturday event was held at the police station and occurs bi-annually nationally in April and October. Local residents turned in halfempty pill bottles of medication not only for humans but also for pets like dogs and cats.
“We want to get all of the unused, unwanted and expired medications off the streets so that people can’t misuse them and they don’t end up being sold as street drugs,” Crime Specialist Morgan Snedeker said.
Several volunteers ran the drivethru drop-off station and had several large bins that medication was thrown into for future disposal by the DEA.
“We spend the day collecting, we weigh them all and bring them to the DEA and they get incinerated,” Snedeker added.
The event also aims to prevent environmental damage that drugs can cause if they are simply thrown away or flushed down the toilet, which could have an impact on our groundwater.
Snedeker explained that the police department — located at 1000 Lincoln Ave. in Woodland — has a green medical disposal bin in its lobby where people can throw away their unwanted, unused or expired medications any time of the year.
“Our lobby is open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the week right now,” she explained. “You cannot put sharps inside and that’s including EpiPens.”
Snedeker said that the Yolo County Central Landfill — located at 44090 Co Rd 28H in Woodland — disposes of household hazardous waster every Friday and Saturday and encourages people to drop off sharp medications such as EpiPens there at no cost.