Written By: Prince William County Police Department

On Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – the Prince William
County Police Department, the Manassas City Police Department and the Haymarket Town Police
Department will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and community groups to
provide you with a safe and legal way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. Simply
bring them to the collection sites at UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center, UVA Health
System Haymarket Medical Center, or Sentara Healthcare Lake Ridge.
This nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft. Did you
know? (Source: DEA)

 Unused or expired prescription medications are a public-safety issue, leading to accidental
poisoning, overdose and abuse.

 Pharmaceutical drugs are just as dangerous as street
drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s
supervision.

 The majority of those abusing prescription drugs get them
from family and friends, or the home medicine cabinet.

 Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be
retrieved and abused, or illegally sold. They also can
contaminate groundwater or soil. Unused drugs that are flushed can contaminate the water
supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

 Take-back programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs. But if a program is not available take
the meds out of their bottles, mix them with something unappealing like used kitty litter or coffee
grounds and seal them in a bag or disposable container and throw it away.

During this initiative, prescription and over-the-counter solid-dosage medications (i.e., tablets and capsules) will be accepted. Vape pens and e-cigarettes will also be accepted AFTER batteries have been removed. Intravenous solutions, injectables, needles, hydrogen peroxide, compressed cylinders (asthma inhalers, for example), iodine-containing medications and thermometers will not be accepted. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine will also not be accepted during National Take-Back Day. To protect your privacy, you can use a permanent marker to blacken out your personal information on the labels, if you are unable to peel them off, prior to turning them in.

For more information, please call the Crime Prevention Unit at (703) 792-7270.