The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Police Department will host a Drive-Through Medication and Vape Take Back Event on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents can drop off unused, unwanted, or expired medications and vape/electronic cigarette devices at the following location: Clinton County Law Center/Courthouse Parking Lot, 241 7th Avenue, Clinton, Iowa
The event will be held rain or shine. Participants will remain in their vehicles while dropping off items, and the process is expected to take only a few minutes.
The event is being conducted in partnership with the Camanche DeWitt Coalition, Gateway ImpACT Coalition, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as part of the nationwide Take Back Day initiative. The goal is to provide residents with a safe, convenient way to dispose of medications and vaping products while helping prevent misuse and environmental contamination.
Unused medications and vaping devices kept in the home can be easily accessed by youth. Community partners encourage residents to securely store medications and properly dispose of any that are no longer needed.
Free medication lock bags will be available at the event. Residents may also obtain a lock bag by contacting the Gateway ImpACT Coalition at (563) 241-4371.
For those unable to attend, community medication drop boxes are available year-round. Proper disposal of medications helps protect local waterways and groundwater from contamination while reducing the risk of misuse.
Accepted Items
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vape and electronic cigarette devices
Not Accepted
• Sharps or needles
• Nutritional drinks
• Business or commercial waste
Medications may be dropped off in their original containers.
There is no cost to participate.
Take advantage of this opportunity to help protect our youth, our community, and our environment through the safe disposal of unwanted medications and vaping products.
Community drop box locations include:
• Camanche Police Department, 819 South Washington Blvd., Camanche, Iowa
• DeWitt Police Department, 1505 6th Avenue, DeWitt, Iowa
• Fulton City Hall, 413 11th Avenue, Fulton, Illinois
• HyVee Pharmacy, 901 South 4th Street, Clinton
• Scott Thrifty White Drug, 629 6th Avenue, DeWitt
• Wagner Pharmacy & Integrated Health, 1726 North, 2nd Street, Clinton
• Walgreens North, 1905 N. 2nd Street, Clinton, Iowa
• Walmart Pharmacy, 2715 S. 25th Street, Clinton, Iowa
Vaping Disposal and Public Health Concerns
Vaping among both youth and adults continues to be a significant public health concern. Over the past decade, e-cigarette use has increased across nearly all age groups and demographics and has become more prevalent than traditional cigarette smoking among middle and high school students.
According to the most recent Iowa Youth Survey, 18% of Clinton County students report using vape products. In addition to the health risks associated with vaping, communities are also facing an increase in hazardous waste generated by e-cigarette devices, cartridges or “pods,” lithium-ion batteries, and other electronic waste.
This Take Back Event provides residents with a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of both vape devices and batteries. To ensure safe handling, participants are asked to remove batteries from vape devices prior to drop-off and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
Vape batteries may be turned in during the event or delivered year-round to the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority during normal business hours. Individuals needing assistance removing batteries from vape devices are encouraged to contact the retailer where the device was purchased, search for manufacturer instructions online, or contact the Gateway ImpACT Coalition at (563) 241-4371 for guidance.
Community Impact
Since the medication disposal program began in 2008, Clinton County residents have safely disposed of more than 14,000 pounds of medication, helping reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse while protecting local waterways and the environment.
Community leaders encourage residents to take advantage of this free opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted medications and vaping products while helping create a healthier and safer community for all.
Additional Information
For more information about the Medication and Vape Take Back Event, medication and vape storage, or safe disposal options, contact:
Gateway ImpACT Coalition
Phone: (563) 241-4371
Email: kristin@csaciowa.org
Every medication or vape device safely removed from a home is one less opportunity for misuse and one more step toward protecting our youth, families, and environment,” said Kristin Huisenga, Gateway ImpACT Coalition. “We encourage all residents to take a few minutes to clean out medicine cabinets and dispose of these items safely and responsibly.”
