12 Annual DEA National Pill Take Back
Local Police Departments hold 10 -2 p.m. Saturday collection drives
Area police department’s will be taking place in the 12th Annual Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Pill Take-Back Day.
Aimed at providing a safe, anonymous and convenient disposal of potentially dangerous controlled substances, collection drives are being held in Asbury Park, Deal, Allenhurst, Neptune and Ocean Township police departments.
The pill take back is a preventative initiative designed to address the current addiction epidemic, overdose and deaths associated with the abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, Asbury Park Police officials said in a written statement.
“According to the most recent national survey on drug use and health, 6.5 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs, more than cocaine, heroin and hallucinogens combined,” according to the statement. “Most prescription drug abusers get their pills from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury- related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The removal from homes of unwanted prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold is an easy way to help fight the epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
Anyone with unused or expired prescription and over the counter medication can drop them off during the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. timeframe. Liquids, syringes or other sharp instruments will not be accepted.
In Allenhurst, the collection site will be at police headquarters, located at 125 Corlies Ave.
In Asbury Park, the collection site will be located in the municipal lobby outside of police headquarters at 1 Municipal Plaza.
In Deal, the collection site will be at the Deal Firehouse located at 110 Brighton Ave.
In Neptune, the collection site will be at police headquarters, located at 25 Neptune Blvd.
In Ocean Township, the collection site will be at police headquarters, located 399 Monmouth Road; however medications can be turned 24/7, officials said.
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