City of Washington, DC - District of Columbia

04/25/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2025 18:43

Mayor Bowser Encourages Residents to Participate in Prescription Drug Take Back Day at 13 Drop-Off Sites Across the District

(Washington, DC) - Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the DC Public Library (DCPL) are encouraging residents to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26. From 10 am to 2 pm, the District Government will host 13 drop-off sites across the city where residents can safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription medications that may pose a risk of misuse.

"Prevention saves lives. This Saturday, I encourage Washingtonians to clean out their medicine cabinets and join us in safely disposing of old prescriptions," said Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the DC Department of Behavioral Health. "Together, we can prevent misuse and help keep our families and communities safe."

Prescription opioid misuse remains a major public health concern. Nationally, after marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused substances by teens. When used improperly, prescription drugs can affect teens in ways similar to illicit drugs, altering brain development and increasing the risk of long-term harm.

Preventing drug misuse is a core strategy in LIVE.LONG.DC., the District's comprehensive plan to address the opioid crisis. If you or someone you know is at risk of an opioid overdose, DBH urges you to keep naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, on hand. Community members have used naloxone to reverse hundreds of suspected overdoses. Text "LiveLongDC" to 888-811 or visit livelong.dc.gov to receive a free naloxone kit by mail or delivery, or to find local pickup sites. The same link also provides information on substance use treatment clinics across DC.

Drop-Off Sites

Ward 1

  • MPD Third District Station: 1620 V Street NW

Ward 2

  • Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library: 1630 7th Street NW
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: 901 G Street NW

Ward 3

  • MPD Second District Station: 3320 Idaho Avenue NW

Ward 4

  • Petworth Library: 4200 Kansas Avenue NW
  • MPD Fourth District Station: 6001 Georgia Avenue NW

Ward 5

  • MPD Fifth District Station: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE

Ward 6

  • Southwest Library: 900 Wesley Place SW
  • MPD First District Substation: 101 M Street SW

Ward 7

  • MPD Sixth District Station: 5002 Hayes Street NE
  • Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library: 3935 Benning Road NE

Ward 8

  • Anacostia Library: 1800 Marion Barry Avenue SE
  • MPD Seventh District Station: 2455 Alabama Avenue SE

If residents are unable to visit a drop-off site on Saturday, year-round collection sites are available throughout the community. Visit LiveLong.DC.gov for more information on disposal sites and how the District and its community partners are working to reduce opioid misuse and related deaths.

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