Disposing of unwanted medicine in a safe way is essential to protecting children and preventing pollution of our ground water and Bellingham Bay.
Prevent Accidental Poisonings
Clean out medicine cabinets to reduce the risk of accidental misuse and exposure to children. Overdoses from prescription narcotics are a leading cause of death in Washington State. Abuse of narcotic pain relievers is rapidly increasing and half of prescription drug abusers report obtaining the drug from a friend or relative.
Protect Our Water
Medications sent down toilets or sink drains can get into our bay, adversely affecting fish and aquatic wildlife. Medicine placed in trash cans ends up in land fills and can leach into ground water.
Expired and unwanted medications may be dropped off at participating pharmacies. Simply show them to a pharmacist and they will direct you to a collection bin.
Accepted Items
See the Household Pharmaceutical take-back brochure (PDF) for more information about what is accepted.
Participating pharmacies
Narcotic pain relievers and prescribed controlled substances, not including illegal narcotics, are accepted at the Bellingham Police Department during weekday business hours.
Examples of accepted items
See the Bellingham Police Department's take-back poster (PDF) for more information about what is accepted.
Costs associated with collection, disposal, and management of the program are funded in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency. For more information see the resources below:
