Alexandria Recognizes Drug Take Back Day and Encourages Residents to Safely Dispose of Unneeded Medications

Page updated on October 21, 2024 at 2:14 PM
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For Immediate Release: October 21, 2024
Media Contact: Emma Beall, SAPCA Coordinator, emma.beall@alexandriava.gov, 571.302.1022

Alexandria, Va. – The City of Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of unneeded prescription drugs, including those prescribed by veterinarians, and over-the-counter medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

A collection will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following drop-off sites staffed by the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office: 

  • Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.) 
  • Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.) 
  • The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.) 
  • Walgreens Pharmacy (3614 King St.) 
  • Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (2729 King St.)

Free at-home drug disposal kits will also be distributed at these drop-off sites as part of CADCA’s Over the Dose Campaign. This campaign encourages residents to safely dispose of unwanted medication to eliminate the risk of misuse and prevent overdose. 

Needles are not accepted during the take back event. Visit the website for needle disposal and permanent medication drop-off locations

Unused and expired medications that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse, especially opioid prescriptions. In 2023, the City collected 2,647 pounds of unused medication, a 40% increase from 2022. 

Drugs are also an environmental hazard to waterways and should not be flushed down the toilet or sink. While most sewage is treated at wastewater treatment plants, these facilities are not always designed to process medication. Drugs that are improperly disposed of can make their way into local waterways, affecting aquatic life.  If you do not have access to safe drug disposal, check the medication bottles for instructions on alternate disposal options. If no instructions are present:

  • Remove medication from its original container. Do not crush. 
  • Mix medication with an inedible substance, such as kitty litter or 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. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/SAPCA to learn more about ways to prevent substance use and misuse. Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information about Alexandria’s efforts to fight the national opioid epidemic.