VCU news

By Cynthia McMullen

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy's Phi Delta Chi professional fraternity, in conjunction with the VCU Police Department, will participate in the second National Take Back Initiative.  

The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration, was created to encourage people to dispose of expired and/or unused medications. The event takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30 in the Gateway Building at the VCU Medical Center, 1200 E. Marshall St.

The Alpha Delta chapter of Phi Delta Chi will help collect the medications, which will be disposed of safely. Participants are asked not to bring needles, syringes or illegal substances.

According to organizers, properly disposing of medications helps to prevent drug abuse, helps to prevent poisoning and can help the environment. Last year, Americans turned in a total of more than 121 tons of pills during the first National Take Back Day. Pharmacy students who participated in last year's event reported that some drugs they collected dated back to the 1970s.

In addition to the VCU location, medications may be disposed of at the Social Service Center at Southside Plaza, 4100 Hull St.; Social Service Center, 25th and M streets; Cloverhill Support Facility, 2730 Hicks Road; Henrico Public Safety Building, 7721 E. Parham Road; and State Police Division 1 Headquarters, 9300 Brook Road.