In the second Drug Take-Back Day of the year, local law enforcement officials gathered up 177 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs, and 100 pounds of food donations for the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank.

The event, held jointly in Snoqualmie, North Bend and the Redmond Ridge neighborhood on October 29, was a cooperative effort of King County Sheriff’s Officers and the Snoqualmie Police Department. Their efforts this year have removed more than 236 pounds of prescription drugs from Valley medicine cabinets.

Prescription medications are the most commonly abused drugs in the country today, and events like these help reduce the availability of these drugs. All medications collected are transported to a Seattle Drug Enforcement Agency facility, and incinerated.

Citizens can also dispose of unwanted prescription medicines during business hours on weekdays, by bringing them to one of the secure drop boxes, in the the North Bend Police Department, 1550 Boalch Ave. Northwest or the Snoqualmie Police Department, 34825 S.E. Douglas St.

Learn more about Drug Take-Back Day at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html