Publisher’s Note:
A collection site is also located in front of the Brunswick Police Station.
Drug Disposal Event Scheduled for
Saturday, April 24 , 2021
On Saturday, April 24, 2021 Frederick County will take part in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day”. This event offers residents the chance to prevent medicine misuse and diversion by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. At the October 2020 Drug Take Back Day event, local residents safely turned in nearly 883 pounds of medicine at two collection sites in Frederick County in a 4-hour period.
On April 24th between 10AM and 2PM, law enforcement personnel will be collecting medicines at the following locations:
- Former Trinity School – 6040 New Design Road in Frederick (Drive-through)
- Maryland State Police, Frederick Barrack – 110 Airport Drive East in Frederick
The following items may be dropped off during the event:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicines (in pill form only)
- Prescription patches
- Pet medicines (in pill form only)
Participants may dispose of their medicines in the original container and may remove any identifying information from the prescription label. In compliance with COVID-19 safety precautions, participants are asked to wear masks at all times. Participants at the former Trinity School location are asked to remain in their vehicles.
In addition to medicine disposal, the Frederick County Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program will be on-site at both locations to collect used or unused sharps including syringes, needles, lancets and auto injectors. Sharps must be separated from all medicine being disposed.
This event is for residential disposal and is not intended for businesses, clinics or medical/healthcare facilities.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. This drug disposal event provides an opportunity for local residents to prevent drug diversion, addiction and overdose deaths by safely and securely disposing their expired and/or unwanted medications.
