SW Wash. Locations Accepting Unused Medications for National Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Southwest Washington residents can drop off unused or expired medications at select locations in Clark, Cowlitz, and Klickitat Counties as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 

The free drive-thru events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are organized by community substance misuse prevention coalitions, law enforcement, and other local agencies. The various collection site locations are listed at the bottom of this article.  

The event is open to anyone needing to dispose of excess medications. The designated locations will be accepting both prescription and over-the-counter medications including pills, liquids, and inhalers. Vape pens and e-cigarettes are also accepted if the batteries in the devices have been removed; however, sharps and syringes will not be accepted. 

Items can be brought in their original containers or without packaging, and personal information does not need to be removed from medication labels before dropping off. Attendees are able to remain in their vehicles while staff collect the unwanted medications. 

The event provides residents with a safe, easy, and confidential option for disposing of medications they no longer use. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), keeping unused prescription drugs in your possession can create substance abuse issues. Or they could end up in the hands of someone they were not prescribed to, creating risks for misuse and accidental poisoning.  

The DEA’s October 2025 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 571,054 pounds of medication at 4,317 collection sites nationwide, with 4,263 law enforcement agencies participating. In Washington state specifically, 3,963 pounds of medications were collected last year.  

As of April 2026, the DEA reported that its take-back events have collected 21 million pounds of medication since the program began in 2010.  

Claire Pearson-Walker, community prevention project coordinator at Educational Service District 112, said in The Columbian that people can easily forget about medications stored at home. She explained that take-back events give residents a convenient way to dispose of medications they no longer need. 

WSUV students seeking information or support related to substance use can also contact the WSUV Student Wellness Center. According to WSUV’s drug and alcohol educational programs information, the center offers individual counseling, therapy groups, workshops, and other services for currently enrolled students. It also provides free naloxone— commonly known by the brand name Narcan—and fentanyl test strips, along with training on overdose response and how to use the supplies. 

For those who would like to drop off unused or expired medications but cannot attend the Oct. 24 event, the MED-Project can help with locating disposal sites or providing mail-back envelopes for free.  

Drop-off locations for the drug take-back event in Southwest Washington  

Clark County: 

• Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground 

• Clark County Sheriff, La Center Precinct, 105 W. 5th St., La Center 

• Ridgefield Police Department, 101 Mill St., Suite 110, Ridgefield  

• Washougal Police Department, 1320 A St., Washougal  

Klickitat County:  

• Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 S. Columbia St., Goldendale  

Cowlitz County:  

• Walgreens, 2939 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview  

• Walmart, 3715 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview