The City of Kenmore has installed a prescription drug drop box in the lobby of city hall. Turning in expired or unused prescription drugs for disposal is the only secure and environmentally sound way to dispose of leftover medicines. Residents may drop off medication Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. The process is anonymous. It is not equipped to accept needles, fluids or inhalers.

Protect our kids, families, and environment. Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the country. In Washington State, 11 percent of teens use prescription drugs for non-medical reasons – a rate among the highest in the nation. Over half of teens abusing prescription drugs get them from a family member or friend, often without their knowledge.

Over half of the 37,000 calls to the Washington Poison Center in 2009 were for young children poisoned by medicines found at home. The elderly are also at risk of accidental poisonings and human medications are the leading cause of pet poisoning.

It’s important to properly dispose of drugs. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

Kenmore City Hall is located at  at 18120 68th Ave N.E.

For more information call 425-398-8900 or email cityhall@kenmorewa.gov.