How do I dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medication?

The Leesburg Police Department has a drug collection unit available in the lobby of the Leesburg Police Department Headquarters (65 Plaza Street NE) which provides residents with a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medication, including controlled substances. The LPD drug collection unit is accessible 24 hours per day. Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked.

In addition, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Loudoun County Government have drug collection units available at several locations throughout the county during their regular business hours:

Drug Collection Unit Locations:

Leesburg Public Safety Center
65 Plaza Street NE, Leesburg
Phone:703-771-4500

Ashburn Station
20272 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn
Phone: 571-258-3000

Dulles South Public Safety Center
25216 Loudoun County Parkway, Chantilly
Phone: 571-258-3200

Eastern Loudoun Station
46620 East Frederick Drive, Sterling
Phone 571-258-3356

Shenandoah Building
102 Heritage Way NE, Leesburg

Western Loudoun Sheriff Station
47 W Loudoun Street, Round Hill
Phone: 571-258-3750

Note: Medical "sharps," such as needles and syringes, thermometers, batteries, IV bags, blood or infectious waste, liquids, gels or sprays, & Epi Pens are not accepted in the drug collection units. Information from the Food and Drug Administration on how to safely dispose of used needles and other sharps is available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/best-way-get-rid-used-needles-and-other-sharps.

The units are intended to reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in residents’ homes and decrease prescription drug abuse, which has soared in recent years, especially among teenagers. More than 70% of teenagers say it is easy to get prescription drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets, according to a Partnership for Drug-Free Kids study.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day 

Additionally, Loudoun County law enforcement partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) two times per year in the “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Loudoun County residents can discard potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction as part of the bi-annual “Take-Back” initiative one Saturday each Spring and each Fall at multiple sites in the county. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day events are advertised at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday and on our social media accounts as the events near.