Galloway Township, NJ -- Join Together Atlantic County (JTAC) has awarded the Galloway Township Police Department with an American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) permanent prescription drop box for the disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medications.

The box is located inside the Galloway Township Police Department at 300 East Jimmie Leeds Road. It is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Residents may contact the police department at 609-652-3705 or visitwww.gtpd.org for additional information.

Galloway Township Police Chief Donna Higbee believes this is an imperative part of removing unwanted prescription drugs from the hands of juveniles.

She also feels it is the beginning stage of assisting adults in taking responsibility for removing these same dangerous drugs from their homes if they are not being used accordingly.

“We have a real epidemic in this country when it comes to illegal drug use and misuse,” Higbee said in a statement issued earlier this month. “It is our responsibility to provide every resource available to ensure the safety and healthy lifestyles of our youth and adults alike.”

Two in five teenagers believe prescription drugs are “much safer” than illegal drugs, police said. Every day nationwide, 2,500 youths take a prescription pain reliever for the purpose of getting high for the first time.

Cleaning out medicine cabinets will reduce the number of prescriptions available for abuse, police said.

The prescription drop box was purchased by JTAC, a substance abuse prevention coalition through the Partnership for a Drug Free NJ.

The coalition is funded by a DFC (Drug Free Communities) grant from the ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy) and SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Higbee and Join Together Atlantic County’s Brian Wilson worked together to bring the drop box to Galloway.

For more information about JTAC, visitwww.jtacnj.org or call 609-272-0100.

The AMCC challenges families to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.

• Secure your medicine chest.

• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.

• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.

• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.