Almost 500 pounds of unused or expired drugs were dropped off at the Kennewick police station Saturday during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event.
The Drug Enforcement Administration collected 495 pounds of prescription drugs in Kennewick, said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police crime prevention specialist.
West Richland police received 71 pounds of drugs that officers turned over to the DEA, and Walla Walla police collected 60 pounds.
Kennewick and Walla Walla police departments also held a Shred Day with Take Back Day and officials said both events were successful.
Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers collected $715 in donations from people dropping off items to be shredded at the Kennewick police station, Blatman said.
West Richland Police Chief Brian McElroy said his department recently got approval from the DEA to have a prescription drop box at the station.
That means West Richland residents now can drop off unneeded prescription medications in their bottles at the station during regular business hours.
Illegal drugs won't be accepted.
Police will either incinerate the drugs through their normal evidence disposal process or turn them over to the DEA during Take Back Day events, McElroy said.
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