Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Successful Program Goes Countywide

Last year, I heard Supervisor Pat Herrity speak about his efforts to have Fairfax County collect leftover prescription drugs.

Supervisor Herrity fought hard to make this effort a reality in the face of skepticism from others that this program would succeed. As a compromise, the county implemented a pilot program in the West Springfield District Police office.

Fast forward to today and it is clear Supervisor Herrity's pilot program has succeeded beyond all measure. Residents have turned in over 735 pounds of prescription drugs to be disposed of safely since the program’s inception. Fairfax County is now launching the effort countywide based on the success of this pilot program.

Supervisor Herrity should be commended for standing firm on this issue where others doubted the program would succeed. The people of Fairfax County will be better off because of Pat’s steadfast commitment to improving public health and ending the opioid crisis.

Michael Ginsberg

Fairfax