Crime & Safety

Gloucester Township Police to Collect Unwanted/Unused Prescription Drugs

Police will participate in the National Drug Prescription Take Back next weekend.

Gloucester Township, NJ -- Gloucester Township residents have a chance to join the battle against prescription drug abuse next weekend.

The Gloucester Township Police Department is participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative on Saturday, April 30.

Residents may drop off their unused or expired medications for disposal at the Gloucester Township Police Department Watch Desk between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Gloucester Township Police Officers will dispose of the controlled substances in a safe and non – hazardous manner, preventing these pills from falling into the hands of juveniles or the hands of drug dealers.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse,” the Druge Enforcement Administration said Friday morning. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.”

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