Submitted by the Coalition for Orcas Youth.

The Coalition for Orcas Youth will be hosting a prescription drug take-back event April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Key Bank drive-thru, 487 Main Street in Eastsound. This event is for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication in a safe and easy way. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Medications can remain in their original containers and labels do not need to be removed. Medications not in their original containers will be accepted too.

This take-back event will be a drive-thru event with all participants required to be masked and physically distanced. The Coalition for Orcas Youth is supporting a campaign from the Washington State Health Care Authority, called Starts with One. This campaign informs and educates young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, and disposal of prescription opioids.

According to the campaign website, “75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them – usually taken from a friend or family member.” Simple steps, like safely disposing of medications, can stop them from being misused.

Participating in these take-back events is one thing individuals can do to help positively impact the opioid crisis and protect their loved ones.

The Coalition for Orcas Youth aims to support all Orcas youth to live up to their full human potential by strengthening community collaboration, reducing youth substance use, and reducing anxiety and depression. For more information and to join our mission of cultivating connections to mobilize our community for positive change, please join us at www.coalitionfororcasyouth.org

For more information about the HCA Starts with One campaign, visit www.getthefactsrx.com.