16 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND ADAPT ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR DRUG TAKE BACK DAY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 28th Safely Discarding Unused Prescription and Over the Counter Medication Can Help Prevent Drug Abuse
Published on April 16, 2018
Essex County, NJ – On Monday, April 16th, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Division of Community Health joined with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), the Essex County Police Chief’s Association and the Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association to announce plans for Drug Take Back Day and raise awareness about the dangers of prescription and over the counter drug abuse. Drug Take Back Day will be held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28th at 16 permanent collection sites and four temporary collection sites at local municipal police departments throughout Essex County.
“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.
“The easiest way to heroin is with opioid abuse at home, with drugs taken directly from your own medicine cabinet. We have to keep these epidemic numbers from rising,” said Joel Torres, ADAPT Coalition Manager and member of Family Connections.
“This is a great opportunity to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications before they fall into the hands of our children,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said, adding that over 9 million pounds of prescription drugs nationwide, including about 9,000 pounds in Essex County, have been collected during Drug Take Back Days.
“The Essex County Police Chiefs Association is pleased to partner with Essex County, ADAPT and the DEA to present Drug Take Back Day and the year-round drug collection program. These are opportunities to discard prescription medicine securely and confidentially and, most importantly, to keep drugs off the street,” North Caldwell Police Chief Mark Deuer, President of the Essex County Police Chiefs Association, said.
“Far too many times we hear of youth dying because of drug addictions and overdose. Many people addicted to heroin can trace their addiction back to using prescription drugs. Programs such as Drug Take Back are about preventing these tragedies before they happen,” Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake said.
“We are experiencing an opioid abuse epidemic. East Orange is proud to be joining with the County, Adapt and law enforcement to take back unused and unwanted drugs to prevent their abuse,” East Orange Mayor Ted Green said.
ADAPT, the Essex County Division of Community Health, and the DEA formed partnerships with 20 municipal police departments to serve as collection sites. Although officials urged the public to participate in Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28th, 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
- Millburn Police Department, 435 Essex Street, Millburn
- Montclair Police, Department, 647 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Newark Police Department, 480 Clinton Avenue, Newark
- North Caldwell Police Department, 136 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell
- Nutley Police Department, 228 Chestnut Street, Nutley
- Orange Police Department, 29 Park Street, Orange
- Verona Police Department, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
- West Orange Police Department, 60 Main Street, West Orange
The temporary collection locations, which will be open on Saturday, April 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., are as follows:
- Cedar Grove Police Department, 525 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
- Maplewood Police Department, 1618 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
- South Orange Police Department, 201 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
- West Caldwell Police Department, 21 Clinton Road, West Caldwell
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 973-323-3907.
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.