October 20, 2020
Media Contact: Breanne Forbes Hubbard, population health manager, Breanne.forbes-hubbard@vdh.virginia.gov, 276-759-8297
Drug Take Back Day To Be Held On October 24, 2020
Convenient Locations for Drop Off Throughout the Region
(Marion, Va.) – Local residents can safely dispose of old, expired, or unused medication Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at various locations in the region. For a list of local locations and times, visit the Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps on Facebook or the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) website at takebackday.dea.gov/2020/collectionsites.
For the past 10 years, Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers have assisted at DEA-sponsored Drug Take Back collection events throughout the region. Volunteers work side by side with local law enforcement agencies to help citizens properly dispose of old, expired, and unused medications. In the fall of 2019, more than 2,700 pounds of medications were collected in far southwest Virginia.
“It was disappointing the event had to be cancelled in April, but the Southwest Virginia MRC is excited to once again be part of this service to our community this weekend,” said Kristina Morris, Unit Coordinator.
MRC volunteers will be assisting law enforcement with Drug Take Back Saturday, October 24. In most locations, residents can drive through the collection point, safely disposing of medication while maintaining COVID-19 precautions, including wearing a mask or cloth face-covering.
“We know that COVID-19 has not stopped the substance use crisis in our region,” said Karen Shelton MD, director of the Mount Rogers Health District. “We encourage community members to take advantage of this opportunity to clear out their medicine cabinets and remove the potential for misuse or accidental poisoning from leftover prescription drugs.”
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