How to Get Rid of Your Prescription Drugs

Recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious and growing problem, particularly among teenagers.

This weekend you have a chance to get rid of old prescription bottle of Vicodin you no longer need and those expired antibiotics you aren’t sure what to do with.

Saturday, April 26 is the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative, and residents across Northern Virginia will be able to safely dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, local authorities will staff dozens of drop-off locations throughout Northern Virginia and more than 100 throughout the Commonwealth.

Look up your closest Prescription Drug Take Back location here. 

If you can't make it to a drop off location on Saturday, a number of local law enforcement agencies have ongoing drop-off initiatives. Contact your local police department to inquire. 

Here are some guidelines:

·      If you throw out the bottle (as opposed to just the individual pills), you should remove identifying information.

·      Liquid products should remain sealed in their original container so they won’t leak.

·      This collection does not include intravenous (IV) solutions, injectables or syringes.