Alleghany Highlands Community Services wants to inform the community that National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Walmart in Covington and CVS in Clifton Forge. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is coordinating this initiative across the United States, and since their first event in 2010, the take-backs have removed nearly 17 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across the country. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. “We are encouraging families to clean out their medicine cabinets to get rid of old and unused medications and bring them to these sites for disposal,” stated Ingrid Barber, Executive Director. Barber also said, “this event will guarantee that medications will be disposed of in the safest and most responsible way because alternative methods of disposal, such as throwing away or flushing pose health and environmental hazards.” Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. If you have questions, please contact the prevention team at Alleghany Highlands Community Services at 540-965-2100.