Prescription-drug abuse continues to be a national epidemic and this spring Chesterfield County is once again promoting the proper disposal and storage of expired or unused medications through its “Count It, Lock It, Discard It: Don’t Be An Accidental Drug Dealer” campaign. As part of this campaign, free medication disposal pouches and locking bags are available for pick up at various locations throughout the county (while supplies last).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 percent of people ages 12 and younger who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or family member. That’s why it’s so important to dispose of expired or unused medications properly and to keep other medications secure while they are being used.
More than 6,000 Deterra medication disposal pouches and Lock Med locking storage bags are available for distribution. One pouch can safely dispose of up to 45 pill tablets, six ounces of liquid or six patches. Once the medications are mixed with a small amount of water in the bag, the chemical compounds in the medications are deactivated. The biodegradable bag can then be safely disposed of in the trash.
Citizens can pick up their free drug-deactivation pouches and locking bags at the following locations:
Chesterfield County Public Library
- Bon Air Library – 9103 Rattlesnake Road
- Central Library – 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd.
- Chester Library – 11800 Centre St.
- Clover Hill Library – 6701 Deer Run Drive
- Enon Library – 1801 Enon Church Road
- Ettrick-Matoaca Library – 4501 River Road
- Meadowdale Library – 4301 Meadowdale Blvd.
- Midlothian Library – 100 Millworks Crossing
- North Courthouse Road Library – 325 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield County Police Department
- Police Administration Building Lobby Desk – 10001 Iron Bridge Road
For more information, visit our campaign website at chesterfield.gov/SafeDisposal.
Prescription Drug Abuse Facts:
- Every day, 2,500 teens take a prescription pain reliever for a non-medical use for the first time.
- Each year, more than 70,000 children under the age of 18 go to the emergency room because of unintentional medication overdoses.
- Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., and opioids now kill more people than breast cancer.
- Drugs poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet can create environmental concerns. Please dispose of medications properly.
