DHHS Senior Health Education Specialist Alison Newman and Cloney’s Pharmacist Bryan Coleman with the Harrison Avenue medication disposal bin.

From the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Only four days after opening to the public, the new medication disposal bin at the Cloney’s Pharmacy on Harrison Avenue, Eureka has filled five times over, collecting 77 pounds of medication.

The pharmacy temporarily suspended disposal service while waiting for more bin liners to be delivered. The disposal bin is expected to reopen on Friday. In the meantime, Cloney’s McKinleyville location is still collecting medications.

The creation of Humboldt County’s first disposal bins to accept controlled substances came after months of collaboration between the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Public Health, Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA), the Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), Humboldt Independent Practice Association, and Cloney’s.

The bins accept all medications, prescription and non-prescription, including controlled substances such as opioid painkillers. Humboldt County has a high rate of prescription medication overdose deaths and these bins will help reduce the number of dangerous medications in the community.

“We had one person come in and just say thanks for having this service,” said Cloney’s Pharmacist Bryan Coleman. “Even though they don’t use us as their pharmacy they still appreciated what we’re doing.”

“We’re pleasantly surprised by the community response,” said DHHS Senior Health Education Specialist, Alison Newman, “and more locations are in the works.” In addition, the HWMA accepts over-the-counter, non-controlled prescription drugs and veterinary medications at 1059 West Hawthorne St., Eureka.

For more information about safe medication disposal, visit this page.

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