Morris County Prosecutor, Police Chiefs Announce Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Oct. 27

*Safely Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs —  Disposal Sites on Oct. 27, in a Dozen Morris County Locations

Proper disposal of prescription drugs is important to our county and state’s battle against opioid abuse, and the simple step of cleaning out tour medicine cabinet is a simple tool that can’t be over-estimated. Next Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Justice Department, offers the public a convenient and safe way to dispose of unneeded drugs.

Take-Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at locations across Morris County. Participating Morris County police departments with drop sites are Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Chester Township, Florham Park, Harding, Jefferson, Long Hill, Mendham Township, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Parsippany, Picatinny Arsenal, and Randolph, plus neighboring Hopatcong, Bernardsville, Bernards Township, and New Providence.

To easily find a location near you, just check out the DEA website for a drop-off site near where you live.

“This important program allows all of us to play an important role in battling the current opioid crisis by eliminating drugs right in our own homes that can fall into the wrong hands,” said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “Please take a look in your medicine cabinets and closets and get rid out outdated or unneeded medications.”

A coordinated Take Back Day event is being held at three Morris County locations, Morris Plains, Hanover Township, and Randolph.

This joint event is being announced by Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs, Morris Plains Borough Police Chief Jason Kohn, Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoeand Morris Township Police Chief Mark DiCarlo.

Morris Township Police are co-sponsoring the Hanover Township location.

“This program has proven to be an effective method for the appropriate discarding of unused and unwanted medications, and I am hopeful this trend will continue,” Prosecutor 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. At two 2017 Take-Back Days in Morris County some 1,500 pounds of prescription medicines were collected in Morris County. Nationwide, the public turned in 456 tons (912,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its partners. Once turned in, the drugs are 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 Saturday’s joint National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day include:

• Stop and Shop Supermarket, 245 Littleton Road, Morris Plains
• Cedar Knolls Shop-Rite, 178 East Hanover Ave, Hanover Township
• ACME Supermarket, 690 Millbrook Road, Randolph

To check on a list of all locations in the county, call your local police department or visit the DEA website, to look up a drop-off site near where you live.

Also, persons unable to make this date can visit http://safehealthymorris.org/dropbox/ and scroll down for a list of permanent drop box locations.

The first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day of 2018 was held on April 28, and was an enormous success. More than 440 pounds of prescription drugs were turned over at just three Morris County locations, including 121 pounds at the Shoprite of Greater Morristown, 158 pounds at the ACME Supermarket, and 169 pounds at the Stop and Shop Supermarket.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at 973.829.8159 or pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us