Residents Urged To 'Let Go' Of Unwanted, Expired Prescription Drugs

No questions asked.

Township residents will have three locations to drop off unwanted, unneeded or expired prescription drugs today during the federal Drug Enforcement Agency's "National Take Back Prescription Drugs Day," Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

Amato and Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele are urging residents to take advantage of the prescription drug collection event.

"Let go of it," the chief said. "We will take it all. No questions asked."

"We take what is given to us...and it's given over to the DEA," DiMichele said. "They dispose of it in the proper manner."

Residents from the Holiday City, Silver Ridge Park and other senior communities in the western section of the township can drop off unused or expired prescription drug medications at the Holiday City at Berkeley clubhouse library,  at 631 Jamaica Boulevard.

"It will be staffed with a police officer," DiMichele said.

Residents from the Bayville section of the township can drop off medications at  the Beachwood Police Department at 1600 Pinewood Road in Beachwood or the Ocean Gate Police Department at 801 Ocean Gate Avenue in Ocean Gate.

Residents from the Pelican Island or South Seaside Park sections can drop off  medications at the Seaside Park Police Department at Sixth and Central avenues in Seaside Park.

"All drop off locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.," Amato said.

Americans that participated in the DEA’s third National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on October 29, 2011, turned in more than 377,086 pounds (188.5 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,327 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories, according to the DEA's website.

When the results from the three prior Take-Back Days are combined, 498.5 tons of medications have been removed from circulation over the past 13 months, the website states.

“The amount of prescription drugs turned in by the American public during the past three Take-Back Day events speaks volumes about the need to develop a convenient way to rid homes of unwanted or expired prescription drugs,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “DEA remains hard at work to establish just such a drug disposal process, and will continue to offer take-back opportunities until the proper regulations are in place.”