ALEXANDRIA, VA – National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 23. The DEA started the day to give people a safe way to dispose of unneeded medications and teach about the dangers of addiction.
Alexandria residents have a number of options for disposal. There will be special collection sites, permanent medication drop-off locations, and a new permanent needle disposal box.
During the day, learn about methods for disposing of medication safely at home.
The following drop-off locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m:
- First Baptist Church (2932 King St.)
- Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.)
- Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.)
- The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.)
These locations will offer permanent and secure drop-off boxes all year long:
- The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.), available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Inova Alexandria Hospital (4320 Seminary Road, located inside the visitor’s entrance and next to the cashier’s window), available daily, 1–5 p.m.
- Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave., inside the front entrance, ring bell for access); available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Dispose of needles and syringes in a separate designated permanent drop box, located inside the visitor’s entrance at Inova Alexandria Hospital. The needle and syringe drop box is accessible at the same location and hours as the hospital’s medication drop box listed above. Needles are not accepted during the take back event or in the permanent medication drop boxes.
The Alexandria Health Department advises the following for deposing of meds at home:
- Check medication bottles for instructions on proper disposal.
- If no instructions are present, remove medication from its original container. Do not crush tablets or capsules.
- Mix medication with an undesirable, inedible substance, such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds.
- Place mixture in a sealable bag or container and throw away in the trash.
- Black out all personal information on the prescription label so it is unreadable.
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