The Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY) is hosting an event to help prevent opioid abuse in the community

||| BY NICOLE SPINOGATTI for COALITION FOR ORCAS YOUTH |||

The Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY) will be hosting a prescription drug take-back event on Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Key Bank Drive Thru 487 Main St, Eastsound. This event allows the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications in a safe and easy way. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted. Medications can remain in their original container and labels do not need to be removed. Medications that are not in their original container will also be accepted.

This recovery event supports a Washington State Health Care Authority campaign called Starts with One. This campaign informs and educates young adults, their parents and the elderly about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and the importance of safe storage and disposal of prescription opioids.

According to the campaign’s website, “75% of opioid abuse begins with people using drugs that weren’t prescribed to them – usually taken by a friend or family member.” Simple measures, such as the safe disposal of medications, can prevent them from being misused.

Participating in these recovery events is something individuals can do to help fight the opioid epidemic and protect their loved ones.

For more information on the HCA Starts with One campaign, visit www.getthefactsrx.com. For more information about the Coalition for Orcas Youth, visit coalitionfororcasyouth.org.