Central Jersey residents can dispose of prescription medication at drop-off sites in both Hunterdon and Somerset counties on National Take Back Day taking place on Oct. 22, 2016.
Central Jersey residents can dispose of prescription medication at drop-off sites in both Hunterdon and Somerset counties on National Take Back Day taking place on Saturday.
Sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Take Back Day is national event that, in addition to giving people a way to safely dispose of old and unwanted prescription medication, also educates the public about the abuse of medications, according to a news release.
Last year, Hunterdon County's Take Back Day resulted in a record collection of nearly 600 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs.
"This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse," said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III. "Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
"This is an opportunity for all in the community to do their part in helping stem the scourge of opioid dependence by making pills less available - the same pills that are often the impetus to a heroin addiction."
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Hunterdon County's Take Back Day is a collaborative effort involving the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Task Force, Hunterdon County Sheriff's Department, local police and the Safe Communities Coalition.
According to the DEA, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans need to know that that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, both pose potential safety and health hazards.
This year's National Take Back Day was announced jointly by Kearns, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski, Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown and Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset Project Director Lesley Gabel.
Residents can dispose of their medications by bringing them here:
- Justice Center (permanent disposal site) - 65 Park Ave., Flemington
- Readington Township Police Department (permanent disposal site), 507 Route 523, Whitehouse Station
- Clinton Township Police Department - 1370 Route 31, Annandale
- Holland Township Police Department (permanent disposal site) - 61 Church Road, Milford
- High Bridge Police Department - 99 W Main St., High Bridge
Other permanent drop-box locations are also available throughout Hunterdon County:
- Frenchtown Police Department - 27 Second St., Frenchtown
- Lambertville Police Department - 349 N. Main St., Lambertville
- New Jersey State Police, Kingwood Station - 945 Route 12, Kingwood
- New Jersey State Police, Perryville Station - 90 Route 73, Hampton
- Tewksbury Twp. Police Department - 167 Old Turnpike Road, Califon
- West Amwell Police Department - 24 Mt. Airy Village Road, Lambertville
Permanent drop-box locations in Somerset County are located at:
- Somerset County Sheriff's Office - County Administration Building (lower level), 20 Grove St., Somerville
- Bernards Township Police Department - 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge
- Branchburg Police Department - 590 Old York Road at Route 202 North, Branchburg
- Franklin Township Police Department - 495 Demott Lane, Somerset
- Hillsborough Police Department - 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough
- North Plainfield Police Department - 263 Somerset St, North Plainfield