Law enforcement agencies will be collecting expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs this weekend as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Initiative.
Several departments – the James City County Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department and Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff’s Office – will host collections on Saturday.
Prescription drugs can be dropped off at the two local police departments: James City County Police Department at 4600 Opportunity Way and Williamsburg Police Department at 425 Armistead Ave.
Both departments will be collecting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Unused and expired medicines are highly likely to be misused and abused, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Due to the potentially dangerous nature of these medications, law enforcement agencies are collecting them for destruction. This service is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.
Prescription solid dosage medications including pill tablets and capsules will be accepted, however intra-venous solutions, injectables, needles and over-the-counter medications will not be. Illegal substances will also not be accepted.
This initiative comes about at a time when rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing significantly, according to a recent news release from the JCC Police Department.
Of particular concern is the tendency for unused prescription drugs to be shared or taken by family and friends of the individual for whom the prescription was originally intended.
Even when not misused or diverted, prescription drugs are often disposed of improperly, the release states. Drugs thrown away in the trash or flushed down a toilet are potential safety and health hazards, so all citizens are encouraged to seek out official channels such as Saturday’s drive to dispose of their unwanted medicine.