Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski, Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown, and Safe Communities Coalition Project Director Lesley Gabel are announcing that Saturday, April 30th will be the date of a joint initiative known as National Take Back Day.
Sponsored by the United State Drug Enforcement Agency, Take Back Day is national event that aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Hunterdon County’s Take Back Day was a collaborative effort involving the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force, Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Department, local Police Departments, and the Safe Communities Coalition.
Last year, Take Back Day resulted in a record collection of nearly 600 lbs. of unwanted prescription drugs from throughout Hunterdon County. Citizens were able to visit Take Back Day collection sites located around the county to drop off their unused and expired prescription drugs.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 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.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “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. 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.”
The Prosecutor added, “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.”Permanent Prescription Pill drop off box locations in the Hunterdon and Somerset area are listed at: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/prosecutor/pressrelease/2016/April26-TakeBackDay.pdf
For more information visit http://hunterdonprevention.com
