How do you dispose of unwanted, unneeded and out-of-date pharmaceuticals and supplements? Toss them in the garbage? Flush them down the toilet? Or are they left in medicine cabinets where anyone can access them? With area pharmacies unwilling to take back their customers' unused medications, what's a conscientious person to do? Napa Valley has recently joined the ranks of forward-thinking communities across the nation who've created a drug take-back program that functions throughout the year.
Not only are medications finding their way into our water, according to Commander Gary Pitkin of the Napa Special Investigations' Bureau, they're finding their way into our children's hands. Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is currently drug enforcement's greatest concern when it comes to local teens and teens report that these household pharmaceuticals are easier to obtain than street drugs.
Three lock boxes, funded by Santen, Inc. and the Napa County Sanitation District, have been installed in Ole Health locations in Calistoga, St. Helena and Napa. Valley residents are welcome to drop off medications during business hours. Weekly, they are transported by volunteers to Household Hazardous Waste for appropriate incineration.
You can dispose of both prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, inhalers and sprays, syrups, homeopathic remedies, ointments and creams. No controlled substances, illegal drugs or sharps are accepted.
Clinic Ole
1141 Pear Tree Lane, Ste 100
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 254-1770
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Clinic Ole
661 Main Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-0931
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Clinic Ole
911 Washington Street
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 709-2308
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Hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:0 am - 4:0 pm
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Hours:
Mon/Tues/Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thurs.: Noon – 8:00pm
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Hours:
Monday: Noon – 8:0 pm
Thurs./Fri.: 8:00am – 4:00pm
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This column, by Hilary Zunin, first appeared in the October/November 2010 issue of Napa Valley Life magazine. www.napavalleylifemagazine.com