The Portland Police Bureau and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Crime Prevention will be collecting unwanted unused prescription medication for safe destruction this Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Gateway Fred Meyer, which is located at Northeast 102nd and Halsey.

These ongoing collection efforts are part of a partnership ONI, the Police Bureau and Fred Meyer to raise awareness about the abuse of prescription drugs among teens, while protecting our waterways.

“This Prescription Drug Turn In provides an opportunity for neighbors to be proactive in keeping dangerous medications out of the hands of teens,” says Stephanie Reynolds, Crime Prevention Program Manager.

“We welcome this partnership with ONI and have really been successful in past events in collecting large amounts of unused prescription drugs,” says Chief Michael Reese. “These drugs normally would have been improperly discarded or left around the house and possibly taken by people who shouldn’t have access to this medication.”

The Police Bureau’s Mobile Precinct will be at the event. Prescriptions can be turned in anonymously, will be collected in a drive through type fashion, and will be disposed of in a safe and secure way.