NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcaslister@purcellvilleva.gov, 540-338-7422
PURCELLVILLE POLICE DRUG TAKE BACK UPDATE
PURCELLVILLE, Va., October 31, 2022 —The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to announce another successful National Prescription Drug Take Back event. On Saturday, October 29, 2022, the Purcellville Police Department collected 59 pounds of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction during the nationwide “Take-Back” initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Law enforcement agencies across Loudoun County also participated in the event to help prevent increase pill abuse and theft, to include the Leesburg Police Department and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Together, we collected approximately 750 pounds of drugs for safe destruction that could have otherwise fallen into the wrong hands. Since the inception of the DEA take-back program in 2010, over 18,000 pounds of unwanted and unused prescription medications have been collected in Loudoun County.
The Purcellville Police Department also partnered with the Prevention Alliance of Loudoun (PAL), which provided free medication lock boxes and drug deactivation bags to the community during the event. Additional lock boxes and deactivation bags are available at the Purcellville Police Department, located at 125 Hirst Road, Suite 7-A, Purcellville, Virginia.
The take-back initiative is held bi-annually, during the fall and the spring. However, if you are unable to attend a take back event, residents can safely dispose of the unwanted, unused, or expired medication at one of the following locations throughout the year:
- LCSO Ashburn Station: 20272 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn
- Dulles South Public Safety Center: 25216 Loudoun County Parkway, Chantilly
- LCSO Eastern Loudoun Station: 46620 East Frederick Drive, Sterling
- LCSO Western Loudoun Station, 47 W. Loudoun Street, Round Hill
- Town of Leesburg Police Department: 65 Plaza Street NE, Leesburg
Find out more information regarding the proper disposal of unused medications here: https://www.loudoun.gov/347/Proper-Disposal-of-Unused-Medications?fbclid=IwAR2q_UjVCsjG8Jrv1jAw-8XLBBdU4Le4kDPIbKM_OcnCSZn--XXmqRGakzE.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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