Police Medication Take-Back Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

The Chesterfield County Police Department, in partnership with Substance Abuse Free Environment Inc., or SAFE, Chesterfield County’s substance abuse prevention coalition, conducts medication take-back events. Including the first medication take-back on April 17, 2010, we have conducted a total of 14 medication take-back events and collected more than 4,700 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications from more than 1,500 participants. Early events were so successful that police department personnel and members of the coalition realized there was a definite need to conduct regular medication take-backs throughout the year at various locations. Through our volunteer coordination, pre-planning and continued partnership with SAFE, as well as our commitment to the citizens of Chesterfield County, the police department has become a recognized leader in hosting and facilitating regular medication take-back events in the Richmond Metro area. The police department attributes the success of the events to our partnership with SAFE, the DEA and local businesses, as well as our affiliation with the media and various community events.