For Immediate Release: October 14, 2022 

The City of Alexandria encourages residents to safely dispose of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications, including those prescribed by veterinarians, during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 29. Residents have several options for disposal, including designated collection sites during the event, permanent medication drop-off locations, a permanent needle disposal box and methods for disposing of medication safely at home. 

A collection will take place on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the following drop-off sites staffed by the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office: 

• First Baptist Church Parking Lot (2932 King St.) 

• Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Ave.) 

• Fire Station 210 (5255 Eisenhower Ave.) 

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.) 

The following locations offer secure permanent medication drop boxes for year-round disposal: 

• The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.), available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

• Inova Alexandria Hospital (4320 Seminary Road, inside the visitor’s entrance and next to the cashier’s window), available daily, 1-5 p.m. 

• Alexandria Police Department (3600 Wheeler Ave., inside the front entrance, ring bell for access); available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Needles are not accepted during the take back event or in the permanent medication drop boxes that provide year-round disposal. Dispose of needles and syringes in a separate designated permanent drop box at Inova Alexandria, accessible at the same location and hours as the hospital’s drop off box for medications.  

For safe medication disposal at home, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria is promoting the availability of free Deterra drug disposal pouches until October 31. Request a free pouch online. 

If you do not have access to a drug disposal kit, follow these steps: 

Check medication bottles for instructions on proper disposal. 

• If no instructions are present, remove medication from its original container. Do not crush tablets or capsules. 

• Mix medication with an undesirable, inedible substance, such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds. 

• Place mixture in a sealable bag or container and throw away in the trash. 

• Black out all personal information on the prescription label so it is unreadable. 

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse, especially opioid prescriptions. In 2021, the City collected 2,052.6 pounds of unused medication at drug take back day events and from year-round permanent drop boxes, a 54.8% increase in the amount of medication collected in 2020. 

Drugs are also an environmental hazard to waterways and should never be flushed down the toilet. Drug take back days and permanent drop boxes help support the goals of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative to ensure that people can live healthier and economically productive lives, while reducing their impact on the environment. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/SAPCA to learn more about ways to prevent substance use and misuse. Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information about Alexandria’s efforts to fight the national opioid epidemic. 

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Jennifer Cohen Cordero, Communications Manager, Department of Community and Human Services at jennifer.cohen@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3484. 

For reasonable disability accommodations, contact maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711. 

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4058.