Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Published on April 13, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) spring National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 22. The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) offers four permanent drug take-back boxes where community members can anonymously dispose of unused, unwanted and potentially dangerous prescription drugs for free, with no questions asked.
According to the DEA, the fall National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, held in October 2022, yielded 647,163 pounds of drugs collected nationwide, adding to the overall 16,636,729 pounds collected since the beginning of the program. ACPD reminds community members of the importance of participating in this potentially life-saving program as expired or unused prescription drugs can lead to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse.
Permanent Drug Take-Back Locations in Arlington County
The public can safely dispose of prescription medications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year with no questions 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. Free drug deactivation bags are also available through the Department of Human Services.
Resources and Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are numerous treatment resources available in Arlington and through the Department of Human Services. Assistance is also available through Operation Safe Station, a designated safe environment where individuals wishing to seek help with their drug use can self-report and receive services, without fear of prosecution and incarceration. Visit OneArlington to learn more about Arlington’s comprehensive opioid response.