June 10, 2024 3:30 a.m.

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

A DCSO release said this will allow residents who have unwanted or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications to turn them over to law enforcement for safe disposal.

Lieutenant Brad 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 into the garbage which ends up in landfills”.

There is no fee to participate in the take-back event and there is no need to show identification or fill out paperwork.

O’Dell will talk about the event on the Morning Conversation Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN.