Special Event: 2023 Drug Take Back

On Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. you can safely dispose of your expired or unused medications at the Benton County Sheriff's Office Drug-Take Back Event.

This is a one-day, drive-through event. Some items cannot be accepted. Please review restrictions and details below.

Where do I go?

There are two drop off locations available. The routes will be well marked. You will drive up and drop your medications directly into the disposal box. Remember this is a one-day only event running from 10:00am - 2:00pm. We will close promptly at 2pm.

Kalapuya Building parking lot, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis
This is a new location this year. Please enter the parking lot off of the west entrance from SW Research Way and follow the signs and directions of the volunteers.

What medications may I bring to the event?

You may bring expired or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications for you, your family, deceased family members, or pets to the Drug Take Back Event. We don't ask who the medications are for. Some items cannot be accepted and are listed below.

What is restricted?

Please DO NOT bring the following items to the event as we cannot accept them:

• Thermometers or other mercury products
• Intra-venous solutions
• Injectables
• Chemotherapy medications
• Sharps such as syringes, lancets, needles, EpiPens, etc.
• Electronic glucose monitors
• Medical or hazardous waste of any kind
• Illegal drugs
• Items from businesses such as veterinary clinics, doctor's offices, foster homes, nursing homes, etc. Sorry, but this event is for individual households only.

Can I bring liquids?

Liquids, such as cough syrup, are acceptable during this event. However, remember that intra-venous solutions and injectables are not allowed. Liquids should remain sealed in their original container. Please make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Do I need to take the medications out of their original packaging?

You may take the medications out of their packaging, but this is not required. The packaging will be destroyed with the medications. Use a permanent marker to conceal any personal information such as your name and prescription number if you're concerned about it. Any liquids, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. Please make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Where can I dispose of items you don't accept?

Check with your pharmacy or local garbage and waste service. Some of them accept sharps or medical waste for disposal for a modest fee. You can also check out the federal guidelines provided on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website listed in the Web Links below.

Are other dates/times available?

No, this is the only Drug Take Back event the Benton County Sheriff's Office will be sponsoring this year. Check this website for next year's event details.

You can also check the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website which appears in the Web Links below. When they sponsor a national take-back day they list the law enforcement agencies who host collection sites.

What happens to the drugs collected?

The medications collected at this event are secured by law enforcement and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner by being incinerated.

Why are you offering this event?

This event is offered as a public safety service to help keep prescription drugs out of the hands of kids or others who might abuse them. Misuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem, especially with teens and young adults.

Additionally, improperly disposing of medications, by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can lead to contamination of our drinking water. While most drugs can be treated at wastewater treatment plants, some cannot. By collecting drugs at this public event, we can keep them out of our water supply.

How are you able to offer this service? Through community partnerships!

This event is sanctioned and supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as part of their National Take-Back Initiative. We are able to offer this service due to the volunteer support of our Reserve Deputies, Auxiliary Team, and CERT members. We also rely on support from our community partners! This year they include: the Philomath Police Department, Covanta, City of Corvallis Public Works, and Benton County Health Services.

Thank you to all our volunteers and community partners who make this event possible!

Directions:

If you are coming to the event held in the parking lot of the Kalapuya Building parking lot at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, please enter off of west entrance and follow the directions of volunteers.