(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the DC Public Library (DCPL) are encouraging residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26. From 10 am to 2 pm, the District Government will host 13 drop-off sites across the city where residents can safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription medications that may pose a risk of misuse.
“Prevention saves lives. This Saturday, I encourage Washingtonians to clean out their medicine cabinets and join us in safely disposing of old prescriptions,” said Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the DC Department of Behavioral Health. “Together, we can prevent misuse and help keep our families and communities safe.”
Prescription opioid misuse remains a major public health concern. Nationally, after marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused substances by teens. When used improperly, prescription drugs can affect teens in ways similar to illicit drugs, altering brain development and increasing the risk of long-term harm.
Preventing drug misuse is a core strategy in LIVE.LONG.DC., the District’s comprehensive plan to address the opioid crisis. If you or someone you know is at risk of an opioid overdose, DBH urges you to keep naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, on hand. Community members have used naloxone to reverse hundreds of suspected overdoses. Text “LiveLongDC” to 888-811 to receive a free naloxone kit by mail or delivery, or to find local pickup sites. The same link also provides information on substance use treatment clinics across DC.
Drop-Off Sites
Ward 1
- MPD Third District Station: 1620 V Street NW
Ward 2
- Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library: 1630 7th Street NW
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: 901 G Street NW
Ward 3
- MPD Second District Station: 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
Ward 4
- Petworth Library: 4200 Kansas Avenue NW
- MPD Fourth District Station: 6001 Georgia Avenue NW
Ward 5
- MPD Fifth District Station: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
Ward 6
- Southwest Library: 900 Wesley Place SW
- MPD First District Substation: 101 M Street SW
Ward 7
- MPD Sixth District Station: 5002 Hayes Street NE
- Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library: 3935 Benning Road NE
Ward 8
- Anacostia Library: 1800 Marion Barry Avenue SE
- MPD Seventh District Station: 2455 Alabama Avenue SE