From Virginia Department of Health
Local law enforcement agencies will hold no-questions-asked prescription drug disposal events at multiple locations Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pills and patches will be accepted, but not sharp objects such as needles and syringes. The service is free, anonymous and environmentally safe.
“Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S. and in the Commonwealth,” said Brooke Rossheim, M.D., director, Rappahannock Area Health District. “Prescription drugs are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse and are easily obtained from home medicine cabinets for improper use. Flushing them down the toilet poses potential health concerns, so we encourage residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of these potentially dangerous controlled substances in a safe and anonymous way.”
Visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback to search the latest list of the sites to drop off drugs, and to find the one most convenient for you. Collection sites in the Rappahannock Area Health District include:
Mary Washington Hospital – Tomkins-Martin Medical Plaza
Mary Washington Healthcare Emergency and Outpatient Center – Lees Hill
University of Mary Washington – Bell Tower Area
Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
Stafford Hospital Center
Chancellor Volunteer Fire and Rescue-Old Engine Co. 5
CVS – Courtland Commons
CVS – Ruther Glen (Jefferson Davis Highway)
King George Sheriff’s Office
Caroline Square Shopping Center
On November 21, 2016, State Health Commissioner Marissa Levine, MD, MPH, declared a public health emergency in Virginia due to rapid increases in rates of overdoses and overdose deaths. In 2016, there were 1,428 fatal drug overdoses (for all drug types); a rate of nearly four persons dying every day and almost a 40 percent increase over 2015. On average, more than two dozen are treated in emergency departments for drug overdoses each day, and emergency department visits for heroin overdoses increased 89 percent in the first nine months of 2016, compared to 2015.
The 13th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a collaborative effort of state and local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Last year, Virginians disposed of more than 22,000 pounds (11 tons) of prescription drugs at more than 200 collection sites. Nationally, more than 366 tons of drugs were turned in at 5,000-plus sites in 2016. Since its inception, National Drug Take-Back Day has taken more than seven million pounds (more than 3,500 tons) of drugs out of homes and off the street.
For more information, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.
