Police Hold Bi-Annual Drug Take Back Event

LAKE OSWEGO – On Saturday, April 24, 2021, Lake Oswego Police hosted a very successful drive-through drug take-back event at the Christ Church Episcopal Parish at 1060 Chandler Road in Lake Oswego. During the event, we assisted 335 citizens to dispose of a large amount of prescription and over-the-counter medications. In total, we collected 13 banker boxes full of medication, weighing 523 pounds! We are very grateful to Christ Church Parish that they allowed us to use their parking lot.

The City of Lake Oswego, working with the Drug Enforcement Agency, offers a free one-day-only drug take-back event twice per year - once in the spring, and once in the fall.

At these events, unwanted prescription drugs are collected from the public so that they can be disposed of properly and in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.

Unwanted medicines are collected from individual households only. Medications cannot be accepted from businesses such as nursing homes, doctor’s offices, or any other institution or business.

Acceptable items for collection are:

•  Expired or unwanted prescription medicine

•  Unknown tablets and capsules

•  Veterinary medications

•  Vape pens or other e‐cigarette devices (only if the batteries are removed)

No thermometers, sharps, medical waste, or equipment will be collected.  (These items can be taken to Metro’s Hazardous Waste Collection for safe disposal. Republic Services, our local hauler, offers collection and disposal for sharps - 503 636-3011.)  Medical Teams International in Tigard may accept unopened over-the-counter medicines and syringes (no outdated products or personal prescriptions).  Their number is 503-624-1028.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sergeant Tom Hamann (503) 635-0238

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