Prescription Take Back Day in Little Silver

Little Silver Police are asking residents to rid their medicine cabinets of old and unused prescription medicine.

On Saturday, Sept. 29 residents can drop off unwanted medication at the Little Silver Borough Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Accepted items:  

• unused and expired prescription medications
• prescription cough syrup
• prescription eye and ear drips
• unused and expired over the counter medications

Unacceptable items:

• hypodermic needles
• medical waste
• mercury thermometers
• illegal drugs or paraphernalia

Please remove the prescription label on the original prescription container if it contains any personal identifying information.

The program is coordinated with efforts by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of New Jersey, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the NY/NJ HIDTA and the New Jersey National Guard.

"In 2009, New Jersey opened its medicine cabinets and we collected over 9,000 pounds of medicine that was unwanted," said John McCabe Jr., acting Special Agent in charge of DEA NJ Division. "We are very excited about the continued support brought on by Operation Take Back New Jersey, and we hope all citizens will take time to eliminate any and all medicines that are not suitable for proper medical use.

The program began based on national studies about the rising misuse of prescription painkillers. According to the news release, between 2004 and 2008, the number of visits to the hospital involving the non-medical use of narcotic painkillers increased 111 percent.

McCabe said, "The more public attention we bring to this issue, the more we trust that people will become educated on the dangers of prescription abuse."