Unused or expired prescription medication left in a medicine cabinet or tossed in the trash can be misused, abused or taken accidentally.
To help residents dispose of medication safely, the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) is partnering with Sentara, Wegmans, and the Drug Enforcement Administration to host four local drop-off locations on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 25.
These events are considered the safest way to get rid of expired or unused medication, which, if thrown into regular trash, could be easily retrieved, abused or sold, the Albemarle County news release said. Flushing the medication is not a safe solution either — it can cause harm to aquatic life as well as humans because many medication compounds can end up in drinking water.
Community members can also safely dispose of used over-the-counter medication, vape pens and e-cigarettes. The Sentara location will also accept medical sharps for disposal in a safe container…