The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Leesburg Police Department and the Town of Purcellville Police Department have once again partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.

Law enforcement agencies in Loudoun County will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations are as follows:

• Eastern Loudoun Sheriff’s Station located at 46620 East Frederick Drive in Sterling
• Dulles South Public Safety Center located at 25216 Loudoun County Parkway in South Riding
• The Lansdowne Public Safety Center located at 19845 Sandridge Way in Lansdowne
• The Leesburg Police Department located at 65 Plaza Street in Leesburg
• The Purcellville Police Department located at 250 Orchard Avenue in Purcellville

According to Master Police Officer Christopher Tidmore, law enforcement agencies collected nearly 200 pounds unused and unwanted prescription drugs last year. Around 90 pounds were collected at the Leesburg site, he said.  

As a former Special Agent with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, Sheriff Mike Chapman said he understands the importance of this issue.  

“This program addresses a critical public safety and health issue,” he said, as stated in a press release.

Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, 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. In addition, 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.

Collection sites in each community can be found online. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.