City of Alexandria Participates in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 27
The City of Alexandria encourages residents to dispose of prescription medicines safely during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 27, from 10 am to 2 pm, or drop them off year-round at a permanent drop box location in Alexandria.
During Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Alexandria will have multiple drop off sites: First Baptist Church (2932 King St.), Alexandria Police Department (3200 Wheeler Ave.), Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.) and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.). These sites will be staffed by the Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA).
This event is part of a national initiative by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and one of four drug take-back days the City holds annually to provide locations for residents to drop off potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs and other medications for safe disposal and destruction.
Year-round, residents may also drop off unused or unwanted prescriptions at a secured permanent drop box located at Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, or at INOVA Alexandria Hospital (4320 Seminary Rd.), inside the visitor’s entrance and next to the cashier’s window.
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, and of particular concern are opioid prescription drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 11.5 million Americans reported misusing prescription opioids in 2016, and studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.
In addition, many people often flush unused medications down the toilet or throw them away – both potential safety and health hazards. The drug take-back days and permanent drop boxes help support the goals of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative to promote a place where people can live healthier and economically productive lives while reducing their impact on the environment.
In 2017, the City collected more than 1,000 pounds of unused medication at drug take-back day events, and the Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray drop box has collected 300 pounds of medications since it was installed in January 2018.
For more information about Alexandria’s efforts regarding the opioid crisis, visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids.
