UPDATE 11:06 a.m.: Soldotna Police Lieutenant Duane Kant told KSRM that vape pens and e-cigarettes will be accepted this year, but that the batteries must be removed prior to disposal. If it is a vape pen with a battery that cannot be removed, he recommends those be disposed at a hazardous material day at the landfill or something of that nature.
ORIGINAL STORY: Kenai Peninsula residents will be able to dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. The collection will take place at Soldotna Police Department.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take-Back Day is an annual event, both on the Kenai and throughout the U.S. Last year’s Take-Back Day collected over 440 tons of unused prescription drugs throughout the nation.
Soldotna Police Lieutenant Duane Kant: “I think there are a lot of folks that are unfortunately involved in the current opioid addiction crisis that got their start with prescription meds. A lot of folks because they are professionally manufactured see them as harmless or a good thing, but in the wrong hands with the wrong purposes they can lead to bad outcomes for a lot of folks.”
Kant said SPD will also dispose of unwanted drugs throughout the year: “We have an anonymous drop box here in the lobby at the Soldotna Police Department.”
The drugs are transferred to the Alaska Drug Enforcement Unit in Anchorage for disposal. They cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps; only pills or patches are accepted. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
For more information on Take-Back Day at Soldotna Police Department, call the SPD at (907) 262-4455.