Local Authorities to Host Drug Take-Back Events Saturday to Combat Drug Abuse, Theft

Law enforcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Loudoun County and the Towns of Middleburg and Purcelville say locals can do their part to help prevent prescription drug addiction, abuse and theft by participating in a regional Drug Take-Back Day event this Saturday, April 30.

The event will take place at several locations in the local communities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring any unwanted, unneeded and surplus medications to the event for safe disposal.

The event is free and completely anonymous, authorities say.

Authorities say many residents do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – and both methods are potential safety and health hazards.

Especially with teens, authorities say prescription drugs can many times serve as a "gateway" drug that leads to much more dangerous experimentation and addiction, including heroin.

“Recent studies show that more than 75 percent of teenagers who use heroin began experimenting with opiates after first being introduced to prescription painkillers," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman, who formerly worked as a special agent with the DEA. "It is imperative we remove any unused and unwanted medications from our homes, as they often fall into the wrong hands and are misused or abused."

Since the DEA started Drug Take-Back Days in 2010, more than 6,500 pounds of drugs have been taken off the streets of Loudoun County, the Sheriff's office said.

Following is a list of locations hosting Drug Take-Back events from 10 to 2 this Saturday in the area:

Eastern Loudoun Sheriff’s Station, 46620 East Frederick Drive, Sterling

Dulles South Public Safety Center, 25216 Loudoun County Parkway, South Riding

Lansdowne Public Safety Center, 19845 Sandridge Way, Lansdowne

Middleburg Town Hall, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg

Fireman’s Field parking lot, 250 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville

DEA Museum, 750 Miller Drive, Suite F-1, Leesburg

If any additional locations are added, they will be published on the DEA's website.