Next Drug Take Back Day Planned In Vienna During October

VIENNA, VA — If you have expired or unused prescription drugs sitting around in your home, Saturday's Drug Take Back Day in Vienna is a chance to get rid of them.

The Vienna Police Department will host a collection site at the Vienna Police Department temporary facility at 301 Center Street S, Vienna, VA, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Prescription medications, controlled or non-controlled substances, and over-the-counter drugs can be anonymously turned in at the collection site. Residents are encouraged to dispose of medications in original containers after removing identifying information or disposing of medications directly into the collection box. Liquid products should remain sealed in the original container.

Intravenous solutions, injectables, and syringes will not be accepted, but EpiPens will be accepted. Vape pens or e-cigarettes will only be collected if batteries are removed. The event is geared toward residents disposing of medications, not businesses disposing of medical waste.

The purpose of the twice-a-year is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs so they don't get misused or abused. Opioid misuse is a particular concern. In October, Fairfax County launched an opioid overdoses dashboard to track opioid overdoses and deaths. According to the dashboard, Fairfax County had 20 fatal overdoses through the first quarter (March 31) of 2022, and there have been 205 non-fatal overdoses through September.

If you can't make it to Vienna's Drug Take Back Day, year-round collection locations are available by searching on the DEA's website.