Local agencies participate in DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day

ROANOKE, Va. ( WFXR ) — April 27 marks National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and several agencies are partnering with businesses for residents to drop off unused or unwanted prescribed drugs.

The 26th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescriptions. In 2023 , the DEA says agencies collected about 300 tons of prescription drugs across 4,675 locations.

On Saturday, residents are encouraged to drop off expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions. Authorities say prescriptions and their containers will be destroyed; therefore, labels do not need to be removed. No sharps (objects that can pierce the skin) or syringes will be accepted. Vape pens and other E-cigarettes (with the batteries removed) will also be collected.

On Saturday, the following agencies are setting up locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Horizon Behavioral Health and Kroger stores to set up drop-off locations. The public can drop off unused or unwanted prescription drugs at the Kroger on Wards Road and Timberlake Road. Horizon Behavioral Health will offer free Narcan and Narcan training.

• Salem Police Department will be at the Goodwill Retail and Super Shoes Parking Lot on Main Street.
• Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Fairlawn Walmart or Peppers Ferry Blvd.
• Vinton Police Department will be at the Kroger on Hardy Road
• Blacksburg Police Department will be at the Kroger on Main Street
• Danville Police Department will be at the Danville Toyota on Piedmont Place
• The Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Chatham, Gretna, Dan River, and Tunstall middle schools.
• The Martinsville Police Department will collect medicine at the Martinsville Fire Department. This will be a drive-thru event.
• Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Walmart in Covington and the CVS in Clifton Forge.
• Wythe County Sheriff’s Office will be at the Food City in Wytheville.

The CVS Pharmacy in Southeast Roanoke is also taking part in the take-back day. The pharmacy at 702 9th Street SE recently added a new safe medication disposal kiosk for the public to drop off any needed medication in their homes.

WFXR News will continue to update this story as more agencies announce their drop-off locations.

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