May 29, 2024 3:30 a.m.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a free medication take-back event on Friday June 14th at the South Umpqua Fire Department.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell said the event allows residents who have unwanted or expired prescriptions or over the counter medications to turn them over to law enforcement for safe disposal. The event will be held in the parking lot of the fire department from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

O’Dell said, “Safe disposal of medications is important to mitigate accidental poisonings, addiction and abuse”. O’Dell said, “Additionally, it can prevent environmental risks from improper disposal; such as ending up in wastewater treatment plants due to flushing them down toilets or sinks or throwing them in to the garbage, which ends up in landfills”.

There is no fee to participate and no need to show identification or fill out paperwork.

The South Umpqua Fire Department is at 400 South Main Street in Canyonville.