The Arlington Police Department is hosting a prescription drug collection event at three collection sites later this month in coordination with the US DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day. Residents can participate in an anonymous, safe disposal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.

By properly and safely disposing your expired and unused medications, you can help prevent accidental overdoses. The Drug Take Back event also helps Arlington Water Utilities protect Arlington’s water supply by encouraging proper drug disposal.

In October 2019, Drug Take Back events around the country collected more than 441 tons of expired or unused drugs, according to the DEA. The April 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Collection sites for the Oct. 24 event will include:

• Walgreens: 4400 W. Green Oaks Blvd. (Located at the front of business, Drive-thru available)

• Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center: 620 W. Division St. (Front lobby, Walk-in only)

• Medical City Arlington: 3301 Matlock Rd. (Main hospital entrance on Hospital Dr, Drive-thru available)

Disposal Guidelines

Accepted:

•  Controlled, non-controlled, and over-the-counter medications

• All solid dosage pharmaceutical product and liquids in consumer containers (please keep liquid products, such as cough syrups, sealed in original containers)

• Single use, Auto-Injectors such as EpiPen

Not Accepted:

• Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes and medical equipment

• Illicit substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamine

• Pressurized cartridges such as inhalers

Tips:

•  Participants may dispose of medication in its original container or by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into the disposal box.

• Removing labels or repackaging is unnecessary as all disposal boxes will remain sealed and will be incinerated.

• All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process.