Police departments have been participating in the national Drug Take Back event since 2010 to collect extra and unused prescription medications. (WYDaily file/Courtesy Williamsburg Police Department)

If youre looking to clean out your medicine cabinet, then October is the perfect time to do it.

The York-Poquoson Sheriffs Office, James City County Police and the Williamsburg Police Department are each hosting Drug Take Back events on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

The event is a Drug Enforcement Administration regulated event.

Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. Thats dangerous and often tragic, Shelley Ward, spokeswoman for YPSO, wrote in an email.

Thats why its great to see hundreds of folks from across our area safely and anonymously clean out their medicine cabinets, Ward added.

In a non-COVID year, local law enforcement agencies typically hold events like this twice a year. But Williamsburg Police Officer Aundrea Holiday said the department had to cancel their April Drug Take Back.

Statistics show when you leave the unused medication around, then it gets into the hands it shouldnt be, whether it be teenagers or young kids, Holiday said. We can go ahead and destroy it safely. Its a win-win for the community.

She added flushing prescription medication and other drugs is not an effective nor safe way to dispose of these items because it gets in the waterways.

All locations are accepting prescription solid dosage medications, including tablets and capsules. Intravenous solutions, liquid medications, over-the-counter medications, injectables and needles will not be accepted, nor will illicit substances, including marijuana and methamphetamines. E-cigarettes and vaping devices will only be accepted if the batteries have been removed.

Williamsburg Police collaborated with the Williamsburg Fire Department across the street so they are allowed to accept over the counter medications and sharps, such as needles, at their location.

The James City County Police Department will have their drug take back at the county Law Enforcement Center on 4600 Opportunity Way.

Williamsburg Police is having their event at the Williamsburg Fire Department on 440 N Boundary St. There will be a drop box outside so people can remain in their vehicles when dropping off medication.

The YPSO will have their Drug Take Back at the Department of Public Works on 105 Service Drive. In an effort to keep people safe, deputies will go vehicle to vehicle with a container to collect medications.

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Need an excuse to clean out your medicine cabinet? Here it is - WYDaily