National Prescription Take Back Day and Earth Day are the same day (Saturday, April 22) and what a way to celebrate Mother Earth!
People are encouraged to dispose of prescription drugs and paraphernalia (no liquids or needles) safely. This means dropping them off at sheriffs’ offices. Each office handles intake a little differently but what is common across the four on the NNK is that disposal is anonymous.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office: 8293 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster
The service is free and anonymous. The SO only accepts pills. To dispose of them, talk to a communications officer when you enter the building, show them what you have (they need to make sure there is no liquid or sharps), and they’ll take them from there. So they see you, but they don’t ask for any personal information.
This service is available year round.
Northumberland County
Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office: 195 Judicial Pl, Heathsville
NCSO “anonymously collects unwanted, outdated, and unused prescription drugs in a secure collection container in the lobby” of their building. “The Sheriff’s Office can collect pills and patches only; liquids and needles/sharps are not accepted. Disposal is anonymous, no questions asked.” (NCSO website)
This service is available year round.
Richmond County
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office: 106 Wallace St, Warsaw
RCSO accepts pills and patches only during safe disposal events. Disposal is free and anonymous. Absolutely no questions asked.
Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, 175 Polk St, Montross
The Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office collects drugs 24/7 via the “Prescription Drugs Drop-Box” in the SO lobby. The drop-box is easy to find and can be accessed any and all day with no questions asked. WCSO will accept:
- Prescription and over–the-counter medications
- Tablets and capsules
- Inhalers
- Creams/ointments
- Nasal sprays
- Pet meds
WCSO will not accept:
- Needles/sharps
- Liquids
- Bloody or other infectious waste (bio-hazards)
Prepare the items for disposal:
- All items are to be in a sealed container, original bottle, zip-lock bag, etc. Loose pills may not be put in the drop-box.
- Personal information should be removed or blotted out with permanent marker.
This service is available year round.