Safe Medicine Disposal Nets 250 Pounds of Drugs in Sonoma County

Approximately 250 pounds of unwanted and expired medications have been collected in Sonoma County so far during county officials said today.

The medicine collection at several sites started Monday and ends Friday, Sonoma County Water Agency spokesman Brad Sherwood said.

Safe disposal of medications keeps them out of waterways and
reduces safety and health risks associated with children and adults taking non-prescribed medications, Sherwood said.

More than 600 pounds of unwanted medicine and 212 pounds of sharps (syringes) were collected in Sonoma County during a similar collection on April 29, Sherwood said.

There is no charge to dispose of the unwanted or expired medications, which include pills and capsules, liquids, ointments and creams, veterinary medications, vitamins, supplements and homeopathic remedies, medical patches and inhalers.

Controlled substances, IV bags, bloody or infectious wastes,
shampoos, body lotions, aerosol cans, thermometers, illegal drugs and medical marijuana will not be accepted.

Today's collection is at the Ellis Creek water recycling facility at 3890 Cypress Drive in Petaluma between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On Thursday, medicines will be accepted in Santa Rosa at the
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center's emergency department's waiting room at 401 Bicentennial Way between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Vintage House at 264 First St. East in Sonoma and the Berger
Center at Oakmont Village, 6633 Oakmont Drive in Santa Rosa, will collect the medicines Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

--By Bay City News Service.