Arlington to Partake in Fourth National Drug Take-Back Day

The following is a press release from the Arlington Health and Human Services Department. It has been lightly edited.

The Arlington Youth Health and Safety Coalition (AYHSC), together with the Arlington Police Department (APD), will participate in the Fourth National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 28, by hosting a collection event at the .

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., coalition members and police officials will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs from Arlington resident.

Proper disposal of medication is essential to the prevention of prescription drug abuse. AYHSC and APD are committed to reducing the supply of unwanted medications in the community, especially medications with a strong potential for abuse.

In addition to the risk of diversion, improper disposal of medications can cause significant harm to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency discourages the flushing of medications, as well as the disposal of medications in household garbage due to their polluting effects in wastewater.

To encourage residents to dispose of medications in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, the AYHSC and APD will offer this program free of cost and with no questions asked.

Please note: needles will not be accepted at the take-back event on the 28th.

For residents looking to dispose of both drugs AND sharps/needles, a collection will take place at the Arlington Community Collection Day on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the DPW Yard, 51 Grove St.