Drug Take Back Event Planned For Saturday In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Falls Church Police will be holding the next drug take back day on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street.

Residents can anonymously drop off unused prescription drugs for free. Only pills and patches are accepted; the collection will not accept liquids, needles or sharps.

The drug take back events are held in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration to prevent the misuse and abuse of medicines. Each year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health finds most misused and abused prescription drugs come from family and friends. That could involve stealing from medicine cabinets.

Authorities caution that flushing or throwing away unused medicines can create potential safety and health hazards. Residents can locate year-round drop-off sites on the DEA's website.

The last national drug take back event happened in April. Collection sites nationwide received 937,443 pounds of unused medications.