Residents are encouraged to use the medication drop box locations throughout local law enforcement agencies.
Freeholder Linda Hughes has announced the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders has established April 29 as Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Burlington County.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with local police departments, takes part in an annual effort to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
“On Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents are encouraged to join the rest of the nation in this important initiative to help fight and bring to light the dangers of the substance abuse epidemic,” Hughes said. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with the NJ Department of Consumer Affairs, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, and local law enforcement agencies to participate in ‘Project Medicine Drop’.”
Hughes said abuse of prescription drugs is a major public health problem across the nation.
“Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including home medicine cabinets,” Hughes said. “To help address this problem, the County has established a permanent medication drop box program in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. We are urging additional law enforcement agencies to join us in the fight against opioid abuse.”
Drop boxes accept solid pharmaceuticals such as pills, capsules, patches, inhalers and pet medications. They cannot accept syringes or liquids.
A local prescription drop-off location is featured at the Evesham Police Department at 984 Tuckerton Road.
Other prescription drop-off locations throughout the county include:
· Bordentown City Police Department — 324 Farnsworth Ave.
· Bordentown Township Police Department — 1 Municipal Drive
· Burlington City Police Department — 525 High St.
· Burlington Township Police Department — 851 Old York Road
· Cinnaminson Township Police Department — 900 Manor Road
· Delanco Township Police Department — 770 Coopertown Road
· Florence Township Police Department — 711 Broad St.
· Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst — 3021 McGuire Blvd.
· Lumberton Township Police Department — 35 Municipal Drive
· Mansfield Township Police Department — 190 A. Atlantic Ave.
· Maple Shade Police Department — 200 Stiles Ave.
· Medford Lakes Municipal Building — 1 Cabin Circle
· Medford Township Police Department — 91 Union St.
· Moorestown Police Department — 1245 North Church St.
· Mt. Holly Township Police Department — 23 Washington Ave.
· Mt. Laurel Police Department — 100 Mount Laurel Road
· New Jersey State Police, Red Lion — 1722 Route 206
· North Hanover Township Police Department — 41 Schoolhouse Road
· Palmyra Police Department — 20 West Broad St.
· Westampton Township Police Department — 710 Rancocas Road
· Willingboro Police Department — 1 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
“The medication drop box aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs,” Hughes said. “We are taking the proactive measures to encourage our residents to be fully aware of the potential for abuse and remind them that these prescription drop-off locations exist and that the effort to stop the abuse prescription drugs begins at home.”
Hughes said the freeholders have made it their goal to double the amount of Prescription Drug Boxes available year-round throughout the County by 2020.
“We will be working closely with our communities to ensure that residents have access to the resources they need and feel comfortable dropping off unused medications,” Hughes said. “We know by using these boxes and keeping medications of all kinds out of the wrong hands we can help save lives.”
For more information about the April 29 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.
