PHD hosts prescription drug take-back event

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday.

Panhandle Health District is hosting a free and easy drive-thru drop off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8500 N. Atlas Road, Hayden.

“This is an important community event where parents, grandparents, those with children in the home, and anyone else can safely dispose of their unused medication,” said Malia Nogle, health education specialist at PHD and event coordinator.

Drug Take Back Day is a simple and safe way to dispose of unused and expired medications. At the PHD Take Back event they will accept all unused and expired medication, not just opioids, in pill and liquid forms.

The North Idaho AIDS Coalition will also be participating in the event and will accept sharps that need disposed of and have their mobile HIV testing unit on site. All services are free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Additional community partners that will be at the event include Heritage Health Restored Paths, Ideal Option, and St. Vincent de Paul.

According to the Board of Pharmacy, in 2020 the North Idaho region was the second-highest opioid prescribing region in the state. There were enough opioids prescribed that 88% of residents in the region could have their own individual prescription.

“Check your medicine cabinet. Are there any prescription pain medicines?,” said Nogle. “If you’re no longer dealing with the issue for which these pills were originally prescribed, dispose of them as soon as possible so they don’t fall into the wrong hands.”