[Archived] City of Alexandria Encourages Residents to Dispose of Unneeded Medications During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, October 23, and Year-Round

For Immediate Release: October 19, 2021

The City of Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications, including those prescribed by veterinarians, during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 23. Residents have several options for disposal, including special collection sites during the event, permanent medication drop-off locations, a new permanent needle disposal box and methods for disposing of medication safely at home.

A collection will take place on Saturday, October 23, 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:

• First Baptist Church (2932 King St.)

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.)

• Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.)

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.)

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department urge Alexandria residents, businesses and visitors to “Wear It Well” by wearing a mask in public indoor spaces, whether vaccinated or not, at all collection sites. This follows updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone should wear masks in indoor public settings in communities of substantial or high level of transmission. Masks are required in all City facilities, including the Alexandria Police Department Headquarters.

The following locations offer secured permanent medication drop boxes for year-round disposal:

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.), available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.– 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Inova Alexandria Hospital (4320 Seminary Road, located inside the visitor’s entrance and next to the cashier’s window), available daily, 1–5 p.m.

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave., inside the front entrance, ring bell for access); available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dispose of needles and syringes in a separate designated permanent drop box, located inside the visitor’s entrance at Inova Alexandria Hospital. The needle and syringe drop box is accessible at the same location and hours as the hospital’s medication drop box listed above. Needles are not accepted during the take back event or in the permanent medication drop boxes.

For safe medication disposal at home, follow these steps:

1. Check medication bottles for instructions on proper disposal.

2. If no instructions are present, remove medication from its original container. Do not crush tablets or capsules.

3. Mix medication with an undesirable, inedible substance, such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds.

4. Place mixture in a sealable bag or container and throw away in the trash.

5. Black out all personal information on the prescription label so it is unreadable.

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse, and opioid prescription drugs are of particular concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 70% of the more than 70,630 drug overdose deaths in 2019 involved an opioid. In 2020, the City collected 1325.8 pounds of unused medication at drug take back day events and from year-round permanent drop boxes. While significant, this was a nearly 33% reduction from the previous year, presumably due to physical distancing and self-quarantining during the pandemic, and indicates that there may now be an increased need for safe disposal of medications.

Drugs are also an environmental hazard to waterways and should never be flushed down the toilet. Drug take back days and permanent drop boxes help support the goals of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative to promote a place where people can live healthier and economically productive lives, while reducing their impact on the environment.

Visit alexandriava.gov/SAPCA for downloadable and printable event flyers in English and Spanish. Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information about safe medicine disposal and Alexandria’s efforts regarding the opioid crisis.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711.