Safely Dispose of Unused Medications on October 25

General County News

Friday, October 10, 2025

Safely Dispose of Prescription Medications: National Drug Take Back Day – October 25, 2025

The Albemarle County Police Department, in partnership with Sentara, Wegmans, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will have four drop-off locations for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm.

Drug Take Back events are considered the best option to safely discard any expired and unnecessary prescription drugs before they can be misused, abused, or accidentally ingested. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Meanwhile, flushing prescription drugs can harm aquatic life and humans, as many of these compounds can wind up in drinking water.

This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

What's Accepted & What's Not

✅ Accepted Items:

Unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications
Vape pens and e-cigarettes
Medical sharps (in a puncture-proof container, like a laundry detergent bottle) – Sentara locations only

🚫 Not Accepted:

Medical waste from commercial organizations

🔹 Important Reminders:

Please remove any identifying information from medication bottles.
After the event, all medications will be safely destroyed by ACPD, and all sharps will be handled by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.

Drop-off Locations

Based on community feedback, we're pleased to open a north end location this fall. ACPD will not operate a drop-off site at the 5th Street office building on Oct. 25—community members who previously visited this location are asked to instead utilize the next closest location at Wegmans.

Wegmans (100 Wegmans Way, Charlottesville, VA 22902)**
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Phillips Cancer Center Entrance (500 Martha Jefferson Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22911)*
Sentara Crozet Family Medicine (1646 Park Ridge Drive, Crozet, VA 22932)*
Sentara Forest Lakes Family Medicine (3263 Proffit Road, Suite 201, Charlottesville, VA 22911)*

*drive-thru event.

**no medical sharps accepted.

Can't Make It?

The Albemarle County Police Department sponsors two DEA National Prescription Take Back Days each year on the last Saturdays of April and October. Mark your calendar for the next event on April 25, 2026!

Outside of Take Back Days, community members can utilize a permanent drop-off box for pills and patches at the Sentara Martha Jefferson Outpatient Pharmacy, available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. For more details, call the Outpatient Pharmacy at 434-654-3350.

Have You Visited Our Online Engagement Center?

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Please visit the site and register to access current and future projects.

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