The Reston District Station joined all eight Fairfax County police stations in collecting 1,071 pounds of expired or unused medications during the 31st National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced the countywide total on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The department partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other county agencies for the collection. The 1,071 pounds reflects what community members dropped off across all participating district stations.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is held twice a year. The program gives residents a way to safely dispose of unwanted medications that might otherwise lead to misuse, accidental poisonings or overdoses.

Year-round drop boxes

Residents who missed the Oct. 24 event can still dispose of medications year-round at secure drop-box kiosks inside each of the eight FCPD district stations. The stations are open to the public every day.

The Reston District Station covers 56 square miles, serving Reston and parts of Great Falls, Vienna, Oak Hill and Herndon.

The drop boxes accept prescription medications, prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications and pet medications. They do not accept needles, liquids, illegal drugs, non-prescription ointments or lotions, aerosol cans or inhalers.

The Fairfax County Health Department also provides information on safe medication disposal. The department notes that wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceutical chemicals, which means flushing medications can send them into the environment and eventually into drinking water.

Residents looking to dispose of unused medications can visit any FCPD district station or check the Health Department's website for additional options.