Full Notification

On Saturday, April 22nd, South River Police Department is asking residents to participate in a prescription drug spring cleaning event. This event, being promoted as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, calls on and encourages residents to "spring clean" their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of any unused, unwanted or expired medications.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Medications not properly disposed of can cause harm to the environment. Medications left around the house can fall into the wrong hands where they can be abused or accidentally ingested by children.

Residents can safely dispose unused, unwanted or expired medications at our "Project Medicine Box" drop off point in the lobby of our police headquarters at 61 Main Street. Resembling a mailbox, the drop box accepts prescription medications in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, patches and pet medications (no liquids or syringes).

Although this service is available to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the spring cleaning event coincides with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and is meant to serve as a reminder to perform the important task of safely disposing these items. As part of the previous National Take Back Day, 324 tons of medications were safely disposed of at drop off locations around the country.

When turning in medication, empty them into a plastic or ziplock type bag, tie or seal the bag and place it into the drop box. Please do not put containers, boxes or anything containing personal information into the drop box.

South River’s Project Medicine Drop is a cooperative effort of the South River Police Department, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

For more information on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, visit www.deatakeback.com

For more information on Project Medicine Drop, visit www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/meddrop

Project Medicine Drop is one of many no cost programs offered to residents by the South River Police Department. Other programs include:

• Unoccupied Residence Program
• Child Safety Seat Inspections
• Home Security Inspections
• Operation Blue Angel
• Special Needs Registry
• Business Registration Program
• Anonymous Tip Line & Online Report-it Form

For more information on these programs as well as the many community events our department offers throughout the year, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit us online at www.southriverpd.org