Saturday: Drop Off Unwanted Prescription Drugs in Holmdel

A message from the Holmdel Police Department

The will be hosting another “Operation Take Back New Jersey” local collection site as part of the Operation Take Back New Jersey medicine disposal day.  The event will take place at Holmdel Town Hall on Saturday, April 28, 2012 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The following “Operation Take Back New Jersey” drop off information is provided by the Holmdel Township Police Department:

• A drop off box will be set up at Town Hall and a member of the Police Department will be present at all times.
• This collection is anonymous, and you do not need to show any identification.
• Medication can be disposed of either in its original container or by removing it from its container and disposing directly into the drug disposal box.  If you are going to dispose of your medication in its original container, we encourage you to remove the prescription label if it contains any personal identifying information. 
• Liquid products, such as cough medicine, should remain sealed in their original container.  The depositor should ensure that the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage. 
• Syringes and other sharp instruments will not be accepted. 

This program was launched in 2009 in order to combat the growing problem.  Each year, experts say, a growing number of teenagers quietly turn to a seemingly unlikely source to score drugs – their parents’ medicine cabinets.  Several New Jersey prescription drug abuse task forces and focus groups have recognized the need for efficient, secure, and environmentally sound methods to collect and dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  “Operation Take Back New Jersey” will afford New Jersey residents the opportunity to rid their homes of the above-mentioned medicine by turning these medications in to law enforcement officials who will dispose of the substances in a safe and non-hazardous manner, which prevents these medications from falling into the hands of juveniles or into the wrong hands. 

During October 2011, Police Departments and other law enforcement agencies that participated in “Operation Take Back New Jersey” collected 9,831 pounds of medications in New Jersey and 377,086 pounds was collected nationwide in an effort to keep teens from looting their parents’ medicine cabinets.  Once again, the Holmdel Township Police Department invites you to continue the progress that has been made by dropping off the above mentioned medicine at Holmdel’s Town Hall Building.  If you would like further information, please contact Sergeant Michael Pigott at 732-946-4400 or mpigott@holmdelpolice.org.