By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will once again join the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated the event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications.
According to officials, there will be a drop-off site located in front of the Ocean County Justice Complex, located at 120 Hooper Ave., in Toms River, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28.
Officials say it is an opportunity to dispose of tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription medications.
Vaping devices will be accepted, provided that the lithium batteries have been removed, officials said.
Ocean County authorities say liquids, syringes, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been held bi-annually since 2010, according to officials.
Since its inception, officials say, the Drug Enforcement Administration and its law enforcement partners have collected 17.3 million pounds of medication.
Officials said on April 22, 2023, the public turned in 663,725 pounds of medication to the Drug Enforcement Administration and its 4,497 community partners at 4,955 collection sites nationwide.
“Take Back Day is an effective tool in reducing the availability of unused medication and prescription drugs. I encourage all of our residents to take advantage of this opportunity to turn these items over to law enforcement,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
More information on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and other collection sites may be found at Take Back Day (dea.gov).
