MARTINSVILLE, VA – The Drug-Free MHC Coalition, Martinsville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft.
This will be done by helping individuals get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs from their homes.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can bring your pills for disposal to the Martinsville Fire Department at 65 West Church Street.
The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.
The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period.
In October of 2020, at the 19th National Take Back Event, Americans turned in 985,392 pounds of prescription drugs at 4,587 sites operated by the DEA and 4,153 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
If you are unable to attend this drive-through event but would like to get rid of unwanted medications, contact the coordinator for Drug Free MHC Tobie Panos at tpanos@piedmontcsb.org about disposal kits.
You can also visit one of the local permanent drop box locations at the Henry County Jail or Martinsville Police Department between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
WATCH THIS WEEK'S MOST WATCHED NEWS