South Whidbey residents who have been searching for the opportunity to dispose of old medications can attend a Safety and Wellness Fair this Saturday as part of National Drug Take Back Day.

Island County Public Health and the South Whidbey CARES Coalition are partnering to host the fair on April 27, which runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Whidbey Community Center at 723 Camano Ave in Langley.

A program of the South Whidbey School District under the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative through the state Health Care Authority, the coalition aims to reduce and prevent abuse of substances by youth and promotes mental health awareness.

Lauri Johnson, the coalition’s coordinator, said this is the sixth Safety and Wellness Fair, which dates back to October 2022. Each year, more partners join, more community members attend, and more unused prescription medications are brought to be incinerated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To “make it a little more fun than just bringing your medication,” Johnson said, fair attendees can learn about some useful resources, such as Narcan training, and participate in activities like rock-painting with the suicide prevention team of Washington State University Extension.

The Langley Police Department, South Whidbey Fire/EMS, RePurpose, Whidbey Veteran’s Resource Center and other organizations will be at the fair. Critters and Co. Pet Center and Rescue will provide a petting zoo, and Whidbey Island Nourishes will make popcorn. Rain or shine, the fair takes place outdoors near The Backyard.

Johnson said National Drug Take Back happens in April and October every year. In the fall, the coalition has started partnering with Woodhaven High School during an apple cider press event.

In the months between, South Whidbey residents can dispose of old medications at a kiosk in the Freeland Rite-Aid. The coalition has also partnered with MedProject Northwest to provide information and offer mail-back return prescription medication bags with prepaid shipping to a safe disposal site. Johnson anticipates that the return bags will be available at the South Whidbey Community Center within the next month or so.

For more resources on safe storage and permanent medication disposal, visit getthefactsrx.com.