Harrison Township police will participate in the National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the department’s headquarters in Mullica Hill.
The initiative is sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and held on what it calls National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, when police across the country set up collection sites for the deposit of outdated and or expired medications. Harrison has taken part in the National Take Back Initiative for several years.
“It’s a national prescription drug day where people can drop off certain prescriptions, so someone doesn’t take old medicine by accident and to keep out of the hands of children,” said police Lt. David Marrow. “We have a staff member on location to keep an eye on the drugs, which are put in a box in the lobby of the police station.
“After they are collected, we store them in the evidence room and then take them to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, where the drugs are then destroyed.”
To deposit a medication, store it in a sealed container such as the original bottle or a Ziplock bag, if the former is missing. Liquid medications need to be in the original container only, and personal information should be removed or blacked out with a marker. Only select medications are accepted; they include over-the-counter medications, capsules and tablets and pet medications.
Injectable medicines, syringes and anything with a needle are prohibited and should instead be taken to a health-care professional for proper disposal. Medications containing iodine are also prohibited, as are hydrogen peroxide, intravenous solutions, compressed cylinders or aerosols – asthma inhalers, for example – thermometers, alcohol and illicit drugs.
Vape pens and other e-cigarette devices can be collected as long as the batteries inside are removed beforehand. If they can’t be removed, individuals should consult a large, electric-chain store or a Hazard Materials Management facility to see if they will accept the devices.
If a person can’t make it to the police station during the event, the Harrison department does have a large metal mailbox available every day of the year for deposit, with the aforementioned rules applicable.
“It has a bunch of stickers on it that makes it really hard to miss,” said Marrow of the mailbox.
Hours for the National Take Back Initiative on Oct. 29 are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
