28-04-2025
DEA hosts national drug take back day
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — On Saturday, local communities across the country and southwest Virginia participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Drug Take Back Day.
The initiative is put on twice per year by the DEA, and presents an easy way for people to responsibly dispose of prescription medications.
Roanoke County police were out at numerous collection sites around the area, including both of Lewis Gale Medical Center's free-standing emergency rooms.
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They said participating in this event has a two-fold benefit for the community.
'We're trying to get all this unwanted medication, unneeded medication, expired medication,' said Sgt. Dan Walters with the Roanoke County Police Department. 'We're trying to get those out of the household so that number one they're not being abused by anybody. 'Number two, we want to make sure we get it disposed of properly to make sure we keep our environment clean and safe.'
At the end of collection, Roanoke County turned everything over to the DEA, which ultimately incinerates it.
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