Prescription Drug Take Back – Oct. 22, 2016

On Oct. 22, officers with the James City County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be at the James City County Recreation Center at 5301 Longhill Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. The program is anonymous and no questions will be asked. Prescription solid dosage medications (i.e. tablets and capsules) will be accepted. Intra-venous solutions, over-the-counter medications, injectables and needles will not be accepted, nor will illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines.

According to the Department of Justice, medicines that are left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Additionally, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Media contact: Stephanie Williams, Police Spokesperson at 757-259-5173 or Stephanie.williams@jamescitycountyva.gov