McLean Police Station Collects 200 Pounds of Drugs For Annual Event

The McLean District Station collected the second-highest amount of prescription drugs during the 18th Annual Drug Take Back Day.

The annual event aims to curb safety and public health issues from unused or expired drugs. The event took place on Saturday (Oct. 26).

“Unused or expired over-the-counter or prescription medicine left unsecured are susceptible to misuse and can contribute to overdoses and accidental poisonings,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

All of the Fairfax County police district stations participated, along with the Wegmans in Chantilly. In total, 1,246 pounds of unused and expired prescription drugs were collected, according to the police department.

“Since the implementation of the drug take back boxes in November 2017, we have collected 4,183 pounds of prescription drugs,” according to the police department. “This includes 3,448 pounds of prescription drugs collected to date in 2019. These amounts do not include the Drug Take Back Day collections.”

The West Springfield District Station filled 12 bags with 249 pounds of drugs, followed by the McLean District Station, which had six bags with 210 pounds of drugs.

People who want to dispose of unused medicine — excluding needles, liquids, illegal drugs, ointments and inhalers — can drop it off at take back boxes available year-round at the eight police stations.