To help PREVENT prescription medication abuse, Barnegat Township has joined the New Jersey Attorney General’s “Project Medicine Drop” initiative. A medicine drop box has been installed in the lobby of police headquarters at 900 West Bay Ave.

“Residents may visit the police department at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to dispose of their unused or excess medications,” said Police Chief Arthur P. Drexler. “It is an important component of the New Jersey Attorney General’s effort to stop the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, including highly addictive opiate painkillers.”

Drexler said that through this initiative, the state Division of Consumer Affairs installs secure prescription drug drop boxes at police departments, sheriff’s offices and state police barracks across New Jersey, allowing citizens to safely dispose of their unused, excess or expired prescription medications.

“People can drop off the unused or expired medications anonymously,” said Drexler. “No questions are asked. Not only does it prevent the abuse of these drugs, but this initiative also protects New Jersey’s environment by keeping these drugs out of landfills and out of the water supply.”

The N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs website says the program builds on the success of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Initiative and the American Medicine Chest Challenge, which was sponsored by the DEA, Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey and the Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey. Both programs allowed for single-day opportunities to drop off medications, but the new initiative now gives people opportunities for around-the-clock disposal.

“The participating police agencies maintain custody of the deposited drugs and dispose of them according to their normal procedures for the custody and destruction of controlled dangerous substances. They will report the quantity of discarded drugs to the Division of Consumer Affairs on a quarterly basis.”

For more information, call the Barnegat police at 609-698-5000. —E.E.