22 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND ADAPT ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR DRUG TAKE BACK DAY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26th Safely Discarding Unused Prescription and Over the Counter Medication Can Help Prevent Drug Abuse
Published on April 22, 2025
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., the Essex County Board of County Commissioners, the Essex County Division of Community Health and Family Connections’ ADAPT Coalition are encouraging residents to dispose of their old or unwanted prescription medications during the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s Annual Drug Take Back Day, which is Saturday, April 26th. Collection sites are set up at municipal police departments throughout Essex County. Bringing medication to the collection locations is free and anonymous.
“Some of the most dangerous substances in your home are the unused prescription and over the counter medication in your bathroom closet. Youth may sneak pills and use them out of curiosity, but there is a real danger that this could lead to more severe drug abuse,” DiVincenzo said. “Ridding your homes of unused prescription medication and dangerous drugs is a simple and important safety measure we can all take. Using the collections sites ensures your unwanted pills are not used improperly and will be destroyed in an environmentally friendly manner. We encourage the public to join us on Drug Take Back Day,” he added.
“There is no question that drug addiction is an epidemic. Prescribed medications can be very addictive and if they are used improperly can lead people’s lives to spiral out of control,” said State Senator Britnee Timberlake, who was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Assembly members Eliana Pintor Marin, Carmen Morales and Mike Venezia.
“Drug Take Back Day is a critical step in protecting the health and safety of our residents. I encourage everyone to check their medicine cabinets, get rid of unused prescription medication and keep them out of the hands of those who shouldn’t use them,” Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell said.
Even though national statistics show drug overdoses are on the decline, “this problem is not going away and we must continue to do what we can and have the difficult conversations about drug abuse prevention,” said Robert Slavosky, DEA Diversion Program Manager.
“Every pill that we remove is one less chance that it could lead to drug addiction,” Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones said.
“When I was younger, we spent our days outside exploring. Today, children still like to explore, but they do it inside their homes and having prescriptions drugs accessible is a danger,” said South Orange Police Chief Ernesto Morillo, who also serves as President of the Essex County Police Chiefs Association.
“Disposing of medications is saving lives one prescription, one household at a time,” said Eileen Fishman, Director of Community Health.
“We encourage people to take their expired drugs and medications to the drop boxes on April 26 or any day of the year so that they are not used inappropriately,” Konniesha Moulton, Chief Operation Officer of Family Connections, said.
ADAPT, the Essex County Division of Community Health, and the DEA formed partnerships with municipal police departments to serve as collection sites. Although officials urged the public to participate in Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26th, the permanent collection sites are open year-round so unwanted medications can be safely discarded at the public’s convenience.
The permanent collection locations, which are open year-round, are as follows:
- Belleville Police Department, 152 Washington Avenue, Belleville
- Bloomfield Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield
- Caldwell Police Department, 1 Provost Square, Caldwell
- East Orange Police Department, 15 South Munn Avenue, East Orange
- Fairfield Police Department, 230 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
- Glen Ridge Police Department, 3 Herman Street, Glen Ridge
- Irvington Police Department, 1 Civic Square, Irvington
- Livingston Police Department, 333 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
- Maplewood Police Department, 1618 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
- Millburn Police Department, 435 Essex Street, Millburn
- Montclair Police, Department, 647 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Montclair State University Police Department, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair
- Newark Police Department, 22 Franklin Street, Newark
- North Caldwell Police Department, 136 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell
- Nutley Police Department, 228 Chestnut Street, Nutley
- Orange Police Department, 29 Park Street, Orange
- Roseland Police Department, 15 Harrison Avenue, Roseland
- South Orange Police Department, 201 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
- Verona Police Department, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- West Orange Police Department, 60 Main Street, West Orange
Residents can dispose of their unused prescription drug medication by placing it in the marked collection sites. Dropping off medication is anonymous and safe. Residents should remove any identifying information from the medication containers, such as their name, address, telephone number and doctor’s name. Medications that are collected are brought to a licensed facility where they are safely disposed.
For additional information, please call 973-323-3566.
ADAPT was created by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in 2011, and is comprised of youth, parents, educators, law enforcement officials, substance abuse professionals, faith-based and government representatives, and other concerned citizens. It is managed by FAMILYConnections, a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based counseling and family service agency with over 35 specialized programs for all ages from infants to seniors. Licensed by New Jersey’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Department of Children and Families, FAMILYConnections delivers research-based therapeutic services in its offices and on-site in preschools, schools, and directly in the home. For more information about ADAPT, please visit www.essexadapt.org.