Law enforcement agencies throughout the New River Valley will once again be participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 24. All collection sites will be open that day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and conducted twice each year, “Take Back Day” provides a safe and convenient way for individuals to properly dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. DEA officials say the initiative addresses a “crucial public safety and public health issue,” since unused or expired medications can potentially lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or overdose.
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 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. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
“Properly disposing of such medications is a simple, but important and effective way for many of us to help prevent substance misuse and addiction not only in our own communities, but in our own homes,” notes Mike Wade, Coordinator of Community Wellness & Outreach for NRVCS. “Pharmaceutical drugs are potentially just as addictive and dangerous as any illicit substances that can be purchased on the street.”
The DEA reports that law enforcement officials collected 985,392 lbs. (492.7 tons) during the Take Back Day held in October 2020, with over 4,500 law enforcement agencies across the country sponsoring collection sites.
There will be a number of collection sites available throughout the New River Valley on April 24. (See below) NRVCS is also partnering with a number of local law enforcement agencies to supply residents who participate in Take Back Day with a complimentary drug disposal kit that can be used at home.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection sites in the New River Valley (Saturday, April 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
FLOYD COUNTY
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office (Main Entrance)
100 E. Main Street, #206 | Floyd, VA 24091
GILES COUNTY
Giles County Sheriff’s Office
1 Taylor Avenue, Suite #3 | Pearisburg, VA 24134
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Blacksburg (Blacksburg Police Department)
LewisGale Montgomery Regional Hospital
3700 S. Main Street | Blacksburg
Christiansburg (Christiansburg Police Department)
CVS Pharmacy (parking lot near entrance)
550 N. Franklin Street | Christiansburg
PULASKI COUNTY
Dublin (Dublin Police Department)
CVS Pharmacy
100 Giles Avenue | Dublin
Pulaski (Pulaski Police Department)
Food City
1400 Bob White Blvd. | Pulaski
CITY OF RADFORD
Radford Police Department
20 Robertson Street | Radford
For more information about Take Back Day, or to find a collection site outside of the New River Valley, click here.
