Description

SEATTLE – Federal Way-area resents are encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unused or expired medications during a Drug Take Back Event at Virginia Mason Federal Way Medical Center (33501 First Way S., Federal Way, WA 98003) on Saturday, Oct. 26 between 10 am-2 pm.
 
“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands, which is dangerous and often tragic. That is why it’s been great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in a record amount of prescription drugs on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Our first-year event in October 2018 collected 408 pounds of medications. This simple act is safe, anonymous and the responsible thing to do,” said Virginia Mason anesthesiologist Julie Vath, MD, who is heading up this event for the second straight year.
 
A few alarming statistics:
 Up to 70 percent of opioids prescribed for pain relief after surgery go unused
Three in five teens say prescription pain medications are easy to get from their parents’ medicine cabinet
And every 10 minutes a child visits an emergency room for medication poisoning 
Accepted items include all over-the-counter or prescribed pills, capsules or liquids, including:
 ADHD medications
Ambien
Antidepressants
Codeine
Fentanyl
Hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin)
Klonopin
Morphine
Muscle relaxants
Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
Tramadol (Ultram)
Valium
XanaxItems not accepted include:
 Chemotherapy medications
Illegal drugs
Intravenous solutions
Syringes
Epinephrine injectors 
Medical professionals will be on site to answer questions about the Drug Take Back program.
 
Partner organizations include the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Way Police Department, South King Fire & Rescue, City of Federal Way, Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, Federal Way Public Schools and Federal Way Mirror.
 
For more information, including a collection site locator, visit TakeBackDay.DEA.gov.
 
Virginia Mason has permanent drug disposal bins next to the pharmacies inside its medical centers in Federal Way and Seattle (1100 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101).
###
 
About Virginia Mason Health System
 
Virginia Mason, founded in 1920, is a nonprofit regional health care system based in Seattle that serves the Pacific Northwest. In the Puget Sound region, the system includes 336-bed Virginia Mason Hospital; a primary and specialty care group practice of more than 500 physicians; outpatient medical facilities and services in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Edmonds, Federal Way, Kirkland, Issaquah and Lynnwood; Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled-nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS; Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research; Virginia Mason Foundation; and Virginia Mason Institute, which trains health care professionals and others around the world in the Virginia Mason Production System, an innovative management method for improving quality and safety. Website: VirginiaMason.org  
 
Virginia Mason Health System also includes Virginia Mason Memorial, a 226-bed hospital serving Yakima Valley in central Washington since 1950. Virginia Mason Memorial includes primary care practices and specialty care services, including high-quality cardiac care; cancer care through North Star Lodge; breast health at `Ohana Mammography Center; acute hospice and respite care at Cottage in the Meadow; pain management at Water’s Edge; an advanced NICU unit that offers specialty care for at-risk infants; advanced services for children with special health care needs at Children’s Village; and The Memorial Foundation. Website: YakimaMemorial.org   
 
Media contact:
 
Ed Boyle
206-583-6511
Ed.Boyle@VirginiaMason.org