Arlington County Installs Permanent Drug Take-Back Boxes

Post date: Jun 5, 2018 1:25:55 AM

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington County has taken a proactive measure in the fight against prescription drug abuse by installing three permanent drug-take back boxes. The public can now safely and securely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 day a year. This disposal service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

The permanent drug take-back boxes are located at:

1. Arlington County Fire Station #2 – 4805 Wilson Boulevard

2. Arlington County Fire Station #9 – 1900 S. Walter Reed Drive

3. Arlington County Police Department – 2000 block of 14th Street N.

Items accepted at the drug take-back boxes are prescriptions, vitamins, prescription ointments, pet medications, prescription patches and over-the-counter medications. Items not accepted are needles, inhalers, aerosol cans, thermometers, lotions or liquids and hydrogen peroxide.

This is a joint public safety project between the Arlington County Police Department and the Arlington County Fire Department.

“Opioid addiction and abuse is a public health crisis affecting communities across our Country and Arlington County is not immune to this issue” said M. Jay Farr, Chief of Police. “Last year, the total number of incidents involving opioids investigated by Arlington County Police rose 27%. That’s why we’re urging residents to take advantage of this potentially lifesaving program by regularly ridding your homes of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications.”

“The fire department is usually on the reactive end of the addiction epidemic, often called to undue the lethal effects of an opioid overdose” said James Bonzano, Fire Chief. “These collection boxes are a responsible way for the Arlington County community to get rid of unused prescription medications in their homes. Doing so can help prevent the pain and damage brought to those dealing with opioid addiction, as well as their family and friends. Please join us in this effort to reduce addiction in Arlington County by regularly dropping off any unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications you have in your home.”

For additional information on Arlington County’s response to the opioids crisis, visit our website.