Medication Disposal Options

Unused and expired prescription medications pose a public safety and health concern, and misuse can have serious medical consequences. For some time, MIYFS and MIPD have been working together to find a lasting solution for our community regarding the proper disposal of expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals. To protect the health and safety of our community, the City of Mercer Island participates in two annual Med Take Back Day events. This program is widely successful, with thousands of pounds of medications correctly disposed of, removing the hazard from our community. 

We have found a way to fulfill the slogan ‘Every day is Med Take Back Day on Mercer Island.’. Using law enforcement contacts and partnering with Youth and Family Services, we teamed up with Inmar Intelligence, who supplies a drug take-back kiosk solution at no cost to the City. This kiosk has been installed in the Police Lobby at City Hall and accepts the following 24/7:

• Any unused or expired prescription medication (including Schedule II through V controlled substances)
• Any used or expired over-the-counter medication
• Any pet medication 

The system is not designed to take the following:

• Schedule I controlled substances
• Thermometers
• Inhalers
• Lotions/Liquids
• Aerosol Cans
• Needles
• Hydrogen Peroxide

** Schedule I controlled substances can be turned over to an Officer of the Mercer Island Police Department for disposal, no questions asked.

• For safety reasons, the Police Department cannot take needles/syringes or aerosols.

REMEMBER: We all can make a difference in preventing prescription misuse. If you know someone struggling with prescription misuse, call or text the Washington Recovery Line at 1.866.789.1511 or call the MIYFS Intake line at 206.275.7657, and the clinical team will return your call within one business day.

For more information on creating a safe disposal and storage plan or how to talk with a loved one about prescription misuse, visit: getthefactsrx.com