Safely dispose of your unused or expired medications
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, October 24. All collection sites will be open that day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
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. The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that nearly 10 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs.
“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 and Outreach for NRVCS. “Pharmaceutical drugs are potentially just as addictive and dangerous as any illicit substances that can be purchased on the street.”
Wade points out that there was Take Back Day event in April, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the DEA reports that law enforcement officials collected 882,919 lbs. (441.5 tons) during the Take Back Day held in October 2019, with almost 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the country sponsoring collection sites.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection sites in the New River Valley are listed below:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FLOYD COUNTY
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office (main entrance)
100 E. Main Street | Floyd
GILES COUNTY
Giles County Sheriff’s Office
1 Taylor Avenue | Pearisburg
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Blacksburg (Blacksburg Police Department)
Blacksburg Recreation Center
725 Patrick Henry Dr. | Blacksburg
Christiansburg (Christiansburg Police Department)
CVS Pharmacy
550 N. Franklin Street | Christiansburg
PULASKI COUNTY
Dublin (Dublin Police Department)
CVS Pharmacy
100 Giles Avenue | Dublin
Fairlawn (Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office)
Kroger
7480 Lee Hwy | Fairlawn
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.