VCU students, police to host Drug Take Back Day event in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students and members of the police department are set to host a local Drug Take Back Day event near the end of October.

People can bring unused and unwanted medications to Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay St., on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Drug Take Back Day: Pharmer's Market.

The event will be hosted through a collaboration with students from VCU's School of Pharmacy and VCU Police, aiming to highlight proper disposal methods of medications, as well as educate people on drug safety.

There will be multiple activities available to participants, including:

• A blood donation drive
• A swabbing event, in collaboration with Earl Young's Team, for blood cancer donor matches.
• A matcha cart pop-up with The Exit Plan
• Demonstrations of how to use naloxone with Rams in Recovery's Free Naloxone Bike
• Addiction awareness and education with Master Center for Addiction Medicine
• Flu vaccinations from Qwark Health

In addition to medications, those who attend the event can bring any vapes or cigarettes they want to get rid of.

VCU Health also has year-round drop off locations for people to dispose of unused medication, including the following VCU Health pharmacies:

• VCU Medical Center Gateway Building, first-floor lobby -- 1200 E. Marshall St.
• Ambulatory Care Center Pharmacy, first floor -- 417 N. 11th St.
• Children's Hospital of Richmond, ground floor -- 1000 E. Broad St.
• Short Pump Pavilion, second floor -- 11958 W. Broad St.
• South Richmond Pharmacy at Hayes E. Willis Health Center -- 4730 Southside Plaza
• Stony Point Pharmacy -- 9000 Stony Point Parkway

For more information about the event and to read the full release from VCU, click here.