DEA offers another opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet
NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey residents will once again have an opportunity to take inventory of their medicine cabinets and dispose of any unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications. This Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration and its local law enforcement partners will be holding the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country.
“This is an opportunity for the public to play their part in combating the current prescription opioid epidemic,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson. “Nearly 75 percent of the 72,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 were caused by either heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain killers. Removing those prescriptions from the home or locking them up can keep family and friends safe.”
The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including the home medicine cabinet. DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides an opportunity for people to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse. The 16 previous Take Back initiatives have collected more than 11 million pounds of medications nationally. In New Jersey, residents have surrendered nearly 250,000 pounds during that time period.
This weekend, more than 6,000 collection sites across the country will be available. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)
Last October, New Jersey residents turned in more than 12,700 pounds of prescription medications.
19-12 ###
