Klamath Falls, Oregon – An old bottle of prescription pills sitting forgotten in a bathroom cabinet might seem harmless. But when medication is no longer needed, keeping it around can create risks that extend well beyond the person it was originally prescribed to.
That is the message Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) is sharing as communities across the country observe National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24. The agency is reminding residents that getting rid of unused medicine safely is a simple step that can help prevent misuse and protect families.
KCPH is participating as a partner in efforts to promote the responsible use and disposal of prescription medications. The initiative comes as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) continues encouraging Americans to check their homes for medications that are expired, unwanted, or no longer necessary.
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The federal agency has a straightforward warning: “If you don’t properly dispose of the unneeded medications in your home, they might find a new one.”
According to the information shared by public health officials, most people who misuse prescription medication obtain it from friends or family members. Officials also warn that many opioid addictions begin with prescription pills found in household medicine cabinets.
Prescription drugs can be dangerous when used without medical supervision, even if they were originally obtained legally.
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While National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications, Klamath County residents have several options available throughout the year.
Five locations offer permanent medication disposal kiosks:
- Klamath Open Door, 2074 S. 6th St., Klamath Falls
- Klamath Tribal Health Pharmacy, 330 Chiloquin Blvd., Chiloquin
- Sky Lakes Outpatient Pharmacy, 2865 Daggett Ave., Klamath Falls
- Sky Lakes Pharmacy, 2421 Washburn Way, Suite C, Klamath Falls
- Safeway Pharmacy, 5500 S. 6th St., Klamath Falls
Residents can also use the MED-Project program, which provides pre-addressed, postage-paid envelopes for returning unused prescriptions.
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These envelopes are available at Chiloquin City Hall, 127 S. 1st Ave.; the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens Center, 2045 Arthur St.; and the Bonanza and Merrill branches of the Klamath County Library, located at 31703 Highway 70 and 365 West Front St., respectively.
Additional participating locations include Klamath County Public Health at 3314 Vandenberg Road in Klamath Falls, Klamath Tribal Health Pharmacy in Chiloquin, and Malin City Hall at 2432 4th St.
Officials also remind residents to protect their privacy before disposing of medication. Names, addresses, and other personally identifiable information should be removed from prescription labels or packaging.
For Klamath County households, the message extends beyond October 24. Unused medication does not have to remain in a drawer until the next national collection event. Safe disposal options are available year-round.
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