Article by Angela Bates, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
(Posted 2023 October)
You can participate in helping reduce the number of opioid overdoses on October 28. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a nationwide event aimed at reducing the number of expired, unused, or unwanted medications available to vulnerable individuals who may seek to misuse or abuse these substances. As opioid overdoses continue to impact individuals of all ages and backgrounds, one way to reduce access to these substances is to properly dispose of prescription medications. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved to be abused or illegally sold, and drugs flushed down toilets contaminate the water supply.
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board supports Prescription Drug Take Back Day by coordinating collection sites and education throughout Fairfax County. Raymond Paden, Behavioral Health Prevention Program Manager shares that, “Drug Take Back Day is an effective way for community members to participate in keeping our communities safe, particularly for vulnerable populations such as youth, older adults and individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.”
What to do next:
- Locate all medications in your household that are no longer being used. Securely store them away from children and pets.
- Clearly label these medications to indicate disposal. Cross out any identifiable information (names, doctor’s names, etc.).
- Take collected medications to a collection site on October 28 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Collection Sites:
- Fair Oaks District Station, 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
- Franconia District Station, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
- Mason District Station, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
- Mount Vernon District Station, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
- Reston Hospital Center, 1850 Town Center Parkway, Reston
Outside Pavilion 1 (REAR ENTRANCE), across from Parking Garage B - Sully District Station, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly
- Tysons Emergency, 8240 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
- West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
- Town of Vienna Police Department, 215 Center Street South, Vienna
To find year-round disposal options, visit FairfaxCounty.gov and search “medicine disposal.”
Missed Take Back Day? Use the collection site locator at dea.gov/TakeBackDay to locate the closest authorized collector for year-round disposal.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).