Medication Drop-Off Box Set Up At Manassas Police Headquarters

MANASSAS, VA — The Manassas City Police Department, together with CVS Pharmacy and The Partnership at Drugfree.org, is offering medication disposal for residents. Unused and unwanted medication can now be dropped off in a secure collection unit in the lobby of the Manassas City Police headquarters, at 9518 Fairview Avenue.

Accepted items include prescriptions to patches, medications and ointments as well as over-the-counter medications such as vitamins and pet medications. Not accepted items include medications from businesses/clinics, hydrogen peroxide, needles, inhalers and aerosol cans

"Public need for safe and secure disposal of medications has increased as awareness of the misuse, abuse, and theft of prescription drugs has spread," the police department said Monday in a statement. "The collection box will help reduce potential abuse of medications by giving citizens the opportunity to remove unused drugs from medicine cabinets."

Nearby jurisdictions have set up similar collection boxes. The Fredericksburg Police Department has a box located in the lobby of its headquarters building where residents can dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription drugs. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has drug collection units available at several locations across the county.

Prior to creating the year-round site at its headquarters building, the Manassas police department and the Prince William County Police Department participated in the DEA Drug Take Back Day, which happens twice a year. The police department will continue participating in the DEA program.

The Manassas police department has an internal process for destroying the drugs collected, a police spokeswoman said.