Save the date: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 27

Picture of pill bottles with pills scattered around it; Safely dispose of old, unused, unwanted Rx drugs at National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27, 10a-2p

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and all sheriffs on the Northern Neck will be participating.

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 Lancaster County 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NCSO “anonymously collects unwanted, outdated, and unused prescription drugs in a secure collection container in the lobby” of their building.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. Disposal is free and anonymous. Absolutely no questions asked.

This service is available year round.


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.