James City County, Va. – The public will soon have a chance to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs and OTC drugs in James City County.
On April 27, the James City County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will be at the James City County Recreation Center (5301 Longhill Rd.) from 10 a.m.-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 and over the counter solid dosage medications (i.e. tablets and capsules) will be accepted.
Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted, nor will illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines.
The Take-Back initiative provides an opportunity for the public to surrender pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction.
These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health.
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, officials say, 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.
