The township police department has long taken part in the state’s Project Medicine Drop, the collection of expired and or unused prescription drugs from residents that are disposed of safely and securely.
The effort stemmed from the nation’s chronic opioid epidemic, addictions that are the result of pain and other prescribed medication.
“The police department participates in Project Medicine Drop, which is a program where prescription drug boxes are installed at participating New Jersey police departments, “said Police Chief Darren White.
“Mantua was the first municipal police department in the county to have one installed, occurring roughly a dozen years ago.”
Project Medicine Drop was built on the foundation of similar programs, such as the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Initiative and the American Medicine Chest Challenge.
“Installed in our lobby is a locked metal ‘mailbox’ permanently affixed to the floor,” White explained. “It is easily recognizable as it has prominent Project Medicine Drop logos all over it. Residents or non-residents can drop off unused and/or expired medications safely, securely, and anonymously.”
The service is available seven days a week year-round. Once a medication is deposited, it is in police custody and disposed of properly. The number of discarded drugs at a site is reported to the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs on a quarterly basis.
“This helps to ensure we are following the appropriate procedures for the destruction of controlled substances,” said White. “It also helps to ensure we are following other important policies and procedures as established by the New State Association of Chiefs of Police.”
So far this year, he added, township police have collected 441 pounds of medicine.
“Our department is also one of the first that was accredited in the county, having achieved the status in 2014,” White noted, “but beginning the process several years prior due to its complexity.”
Medicine Drop collections can be made all year at the township department during regular business hours. After 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and all weekends and holidays, residents must utilize the red phone in the vestibule of the headquarters to be admitted by an officer or other employee.
