Police Combat Drug Abuse, Collect 1,240 Pounds of Medication!

During the month of October, Police and Sheriff’s Department across the country held successful “Drug Take-Back” events to collect unused and expired medication.  The Winchester Police Department wants to remind residents that they can properly dispose of unused prescriptions all year long, though a Drug Collection Unit outside the Timbrook Public Safety Center.

The Winchester Police Department installed the unit in October 2014, in response to a growing number of heroin and opioid-related deaths.  To date, the Department has collected 1,240 pounds of medication!  The Department collects an average of 50 pounds of unused or expired medication each month. It is important to properly dispose of medication, especially narcotics, before the drugs can be misused, abused, or accidentally ingested.

This year, 130 people in our area have suffered from an overdose, including 25 cases that have resulted in death.  According to the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, more than 60 percent of local overdose victims report that they had a prior history of prescription drug abuse.

Unused and expired medication can be dropped off 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no questions asked.  The unit is located at the main entrance of the Timbrook Public Safety Center, located at 231 East Piccadilly Street.

Other Drug Collection Units in the area include:

  • Winchester/Frederick Joint Judicial Center - 5 North Kent Street, Winchester VA
  • Frederick County Sheriff’s Office - 1080 Coverstone Drive, Winchester VA
  • Clarke County Sheriff’s Office - 100 North Church Street, Berryville VA
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