4.29.2022 Gaithersburg Police Participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Gaithersburg, MD – (April 27, 2022) On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the Gaithersburg Police Department will give residents an opportunity to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your unused medications for disposal to the Gaithersburg Police Station, located at 14 Fulks Corner Avenue, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 30. No liquids or syringes will be accepted. The service is free, anonymous, and there will be no questions asked. In addition, a Prescription Drop Box is available in the Gaithersburg Police Department lobby and is accessible daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Drug Take-Back 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 alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. The situation has been made even worse by the continuing public health crisis. In addition, disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards to our water supply.

Do you or someone you know suffer from substance use disorder? The City encourages residents to reach out for assistance. Download our Mental Health Resources flyer in both English and Spanish here.

For more information on the services of the Gaithersburg Police Department, visit the Public Safety webpage at www.gaithersburgmd.gov or call 301-258-6168.