Drop-Off Box for Prescription Medications Comes to Joint Air Force Base

The first Project Medicine Drop box to be installed at one of New Jersey’s military installations will be at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Base Commander Col. James C. Hodges and Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced on Friday.

The box, to be installed at the 87th Security Forces Squadron, provides an avenue for base personnel and their families dispose of their unused or excess medications. The drop box will be open 24 hours a day throughout the year.

The 87th Security Forces Squadron is the equivalent of a police department for the approximately 38,000 individuals who live and work on the Joint Base.

Drop boxes have typically been installed at police departments, sheriff’s departments and state police barracks, including in Gloucester Township, South Brunswick, Cherry Hill and 123 other locations throughout the state.

The statewide map of drop boxes can be found here.

The initiative began in 2011 under the direction of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, within the Office of the Attorney General. According to the Attorney General, New Jerseyans have disposed of more than 43,616 pounds, or 28.1 tons, of unused medications through this initiative. More than half of that was dropped off last year.

“We are proud to bring Project Medicine Drop to the personnel and families of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and to expand the reach of this component in our fight against opiate abuse,” Hoffman said.

“This partnership is a prime example of how Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is working with our community partners to innovatively provide services to our personnel and their families,” Hodges said. “Joint Base MDL members will have a safe and secure location to properly dispose of unused and expired medications throughout the year.”