The Falls Church Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will help the public prevent pill abuse and theft by collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs on Drug Take-Back Day, Oct. 29. The public is encouraged to bring medications for disposal to the Falls Church Recycling Center, 217 Gordon Road, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds-188 tons-of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.