Operation Medicine Cabinet encourages proper disposal of prescription drugs

Nov, 05-2009 1:51 pm

PLEASANTVILLE – The city will host an Operation Medicine Cabinet collection site in connection with New Jersey’s first statewide medicine disposal day.

The program encourages residents to properly dispose of their unused, unwanted and expired medicine in an effort aimed at keeping prescription drugs from falling into the wrong hands.

Unwanted medicine can be dropped off 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Pleasantville Police Department, 17 N. First St.

More than 250 police departments are participating in the statewide effort spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, the state Attorney General and the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey.

“The Pleasantville Police Department has a long-standing partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Officer,” said Chief Duane Comeaux. “We see this operation as a benefit to the community and we strongly encourage everyone to participate.”

Gerald P. McAleer, the special agent-in-charge of the DEA, said law enforcement is concerned with increasing misuse and abuse of prescription drugs by all age groups.

“This operation will reduce the availability of potent drugs that lead kids down a path to addiction,” New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram said. “We can’t break a cycle of dependence if powerful prescription drugs are stashed in our own homes, tucked away in drawers and cabinets.”

A 2007 national study of drug use and health said that 70 percent of people who abused prescription pain relievers received them from friends or relatives, according to a press release.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that 9 million people use prescription medicine for nonmedical reasons.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey survey of principals found that half of respondents consider prescription drugs a greater threat than ecstasy and cocaine among middle school students.

“What is equally disturbing is that 47 percent of New Jersey parents of middle school students said they know a little or just about nothing about prescription drug abuse, according to the 2009 Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey Parents Tracking Survey,” Valente said.

For information see www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com.