Image courtesy of DEA and Fairfax County
A medicine cabinet full of unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication is more than just a nuisance.
Improperly disposed of medications is a public safety and public health issue. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019.” Most of these were obtained from the medicine cabinets of family and friends. Drugs that are flushed down the toilet or disposed of in another improper manner can also pose a threat to our environment and end up in local waterways.
April 24 is National Drug Take Back Day and the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County are providing the opportunity for residents to do their part to prevent drug abuse and overdose deaths.
The following locations in Alexandria will accept drop-offs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24. The sites will be staffed by law enforcement.
- 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.)
- Mount Vernon District Police Station Front Parking Lot (2511 Parkers Ln.)
- Franconia District Police Station Front Parking Lot (6121 Franconia Rd.)
Can’t make it on Saturday? You can safely dispose of drugs at the following police departments, pharmacies or medical facilities in the area year-round.
- 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, inside the visitor’s entrance and next to the cashier’s window), available daily, 1-5 p.m.
- Alexandria Police Department (3600 Wheeler Ave., inside the front entrance, ring bell for access); available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Walgreens Pharmacy (6717 Richmond Hwy.)
- CVS Pharmacy (3117 Lockheed Blvd.)
- Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Pharmacy (2501 Parkers Ln.)
- Mount Vernon District Police Station (2511 Parkers Ln.)
- Franconia District Police Station (6121 Franconia Rd.)
Free home drug disposal kits are available for free through the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and Deterra, andthey can be requested here. Fairfax County residents can pick up a drug disposal kit at the Fairfax County Health Department office at 8350 Richmond Hwy., Ste. 233. Call 703-704-5203 ahead of time to confirm availability.
To find out more about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/
For more information on drug disposal in the City of Alexandria, click here. For Fairfax County residents, click here.
