Got Drugs? Get Rid Of Them In Alexandria Next Week

ALEXANDRIA, VA—If you've been holding on to unused prescription drugs, now's the time to get rid of them with no questions asked.The Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office are partnering with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria to collect unused drugs on Oct. 28.

Collections will happen between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Residents can stop by these locations to anonymously turn in expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs and other medications:

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy at 2204 Mount Vernon Avenue
• Alexandria Police Headquarters at 3600 Wheeler Avenue
• First Baptist Church at 2932 King Street
• Fire Station 210 at 5255 Eisenhower Avenue

The service is free. At the last drug take-back event in July, authorities collected 220 pounds pounds of drugs in Alexandria.

The medication drop off is a step in addressing drug abuse has raised concerns in the community. This month, Alexandria Police said there were six overdoses, including one death, over one week. In 2016, Virginia had 1,420 drug-related deaths, nearly 400 more than the previous year, according to a new Virginia Department of Health Report.

There are other safe ways to throw away unused medications any other time of the year. The Food and Drug Administration warns individuals to not flush medications, unless it is stated in disposal instructions. Throwing medications in the trash is ok, as long as you follow certain steps to ensure people or animals will not accidentally encounter the drugs. Find out more information on how to dispose of medications any time in the year online.

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