BEND, OR -- St. Charles Health System will host a medication take-back event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bend Police Department at 555 NE 15th St.

The event is intended to help households dispose of medications that could be ingested by someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed, and to prevent medications from ending up in the water table. In 2021, St. Charles collected 427 pounds of medication from more than 300 community members. The health system is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity, as other community drops sites have not been accessible due to COVID-19 safety measures.

Individuals can drive through the parking lot and drop off medications right from their car window, no questions asked. Bend police will accept the medications, then give them to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispose of safely.

They'll accept any non-oncology medication including liquids, pills, powders, patches, creams, prescriptions or over-the-counter. Representatives from St. Charles pharmacy will also be on-site to answer questions.