Newsroom: Police Offer Contactless Drive-Thru Disposal Locations During 20th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Arlington VA

06 April, 2021

11:35 AM

Description

Press release from the Arlington County Government: April 5, 2021 ARLINGTON, Va. – On Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Arlington County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. This disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. This is the DEA's 20th nationwide event since its inception over 10 years ago. To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow COVID-19 guidelines. All participants are expected to practice physical distancing and wear a face covering while dropping items off for disposal. Contactless Drive-Thru Disposal Locations The Arlington County Police Department will collect prescription medications at the following locations: Arlington County Police Department 1425 N. Courthouse Road Arlington, VA 22201 Fire Station #5 1750 S. Hayes Street Arlington, VA 22202 Upon arrival, participants should stay in their vehicle until they reach the unloading areas, where officers will be on hand to remove items for disposal from their vehicle. A separate area will be available for those arriving by bike or foot. Please note: The DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. To safely dispose of sharps, Arlington County recommends placing the item in a hard-plastic container, such as a detergent bottle, securing the container and placing it in your trash cart. Learn more about the event and available collection sites. Permanent Drug Take-Back Locations in Arlington County Community members unable to attend the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day are reminded that Arlington County has four permanent drug take-back boxes available. Free drug deactivation bags are also available through the Department of Human Services. The public can safely dispose of prescription medications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year with no questions asked at the following locations: Fire Station #2 4805 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22203 Fire Station #5 1750 S. Hayes Street Arlington, VA 22202 Fire Station #9 1900 S. Walter Reed Drive Arlington, VA 22204 Arlington County Police Department 2000 block of 14th Street N. Arlington, VA 22201 Items accepted at the drug take-back boxes are prescriptions, vitamins, prescription ointments, pet medications, prescription patches and over-the-counter medications. Items not accepted are needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions or liquids and hydrogen peroxide. Additional Resources If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are numerous treatment resources are available in Arlington County and through the Department of Human Services. MORE: Arlington's Comprehensive Opioid Response This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.