Frederick County Holds Drug Take Back Day This Saturday

Residents can safely dispose of unused, expired prescriptions, sharps.

Frederick, Md (KM) Residents have an opportunity this weekend to safely dispose of prescription drugs and sharps. The Frederick County Health Department says Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th at the Health Department’s offices at 350 Montevue Lane, and the Maryland State Police Barrack at 119 Airport Drive East in Frederick. It will be held from 10::00 AM until 2:00 PM at both locations.

Local residents can drop off prescription drugs in pill form, prescription patches and pet medicines in pill form only. It will be in a drive through format with Health Department and law enforcement personnel collecting the drugs.

If you’re getting rid of used and unused sharps such as syringes, needles, lancets and auto injectors, please have an appropriate count of how many to be disposed, the Health Department says. Harm Reduction Program staff will be on hand to collect the sharps.

This event is part of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”

The Health Department says according to a 2021 survey on drug use and health, 14.3 million Americans reported misusing prescription drugs in the past year. This event is an opportunity for residents to prevent dug sharing and overdose deaths through the safe disposal; of these expired, unused and unwanted medications,  the Health Department says.

By Kevin McManus