CHARLESTON, W. Va., — On Saturday, October 29th, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office and the Capitol Police will host a drug take back event at the State Capitol Complex in honor of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The Safe Zone, located at the bus turnaround at the Capitol Complex, will serve as the collection site and will enable individuals to turn in unused or expired medication to ensure its safe disposal. The Safe Zone is accessible from the entrance to the Capitol grounds at the Greenbrier Street-Washington Street intersection. Participants can turn right at the guard post to get to the Safe Zone.
"The Safe Zone, which most commonly serves as a safe custody exchange location, is an easy-to-find location on capitol grounds that you can quite literally drive up to," says Jeff Sandy, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security. "It is very easy to bring your old or expired prescriptions to the Safe Zone, and we always have a great turnout."
Originally launched by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office has participated in drug take back day consistently since 2013. With the help of the W.Va. Department of Homeland Security and the Capitol Police, individuals can help to prevent unused drugs from being redistributed to our communities.
According to the 2020 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.3 million people misused prescription pain relievers nationwide. Ensuring the safe disposal of these and other medications can help combat the current drug crisis in West Virginia and elsewhere. Altogether, over 107,908 pounds of drugs have been collected statewide for safe disposal through these events.
“The Capitol Police always looks forward to this event because it always has such a great turn out,” says Director Kevin J. Foreman, Director of the Capitol Police. Although Saturday is drawing special attention, Director Foreman wants to emphasize that the Capitol Police and the Department of Homeland Security will always help individuals safely discard unused or unwanted drugs. “Additionally, the Capitol Police maintains a drop off box in their office in the State Capitol in Building 1, Room 152-A, that can be used year-round to discard your medications safely,” says Director Foreman.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26th, 2022
Morgan M. Switzer
Deputy General Counsel/Communications Coordinator
Morgan.M.Switzer@wv.gov
1 (304) 389-9043