From the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office:
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 29
Prescription drugs are not always easy for people to dispose of, but the importance of properly cleaning out medicine cabinets can’t be overestimated.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day has been initiated by the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Justice Department to offer the public a convenient and safe way to dispose of unneeded drugs.
This year’s Take-Back Day takes place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three Morris County locations, Morris Plains, Morris Township, and Randolph.
The event was jointly announced by Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Morris Plains Borough Police Chief Jason A. Kohn, Morris Township Police Chief John McGuinness and Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoe.
“This program has proven to be an effective method for the discarding of unused and unwanted medications, and I am hopeful this trend will continue,” Knapp said. “Curbing the abuse of medications not only benefits individuals, but benefits society as a whole.”
The initiative encourages individuals to anonymously and confidentially turn in expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications into secure drop boxes. The method is a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of drugs.
It’s also proven to be very popular. The DEA says nearly 900,000 pounds of unwanted medicines – about 447 tons – were turned in at last year’s Take-Back Day throughout the country.
About 726 pounds of medicines were collected in Morris County and 18,000 pounds were collected in New Jersey. Once collected, the medication is safely incinerated by the DEA.
It’s encouraging that more Americans are understanding that removing old prescription drugs from their medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers and bedside tables reduces accidents, thefts and abuse.
Take-Back events also raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to help lessen the risk of substance abuse.
Morris County locations for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day are as follows:
Stop and Shop Supermarket
245 Littleton Road
Morris Plains
Morris Township Municipal Parking Lot (Next to Tiff’s Grill and Ale House)
191 Speedwell Ave.
Morris Township
ACME Supermarket
690 Millbrook Road
Randolph
Those unable to make this date can log on to https://safehealthymorris.org/dropbox/ for a list of permanent drop box locations nearest them.
