Drug Take-Back Day In Howell Aims To Keep Meds Off The Streets

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell Alliance and Howell Township Police Department are partnering to try to get unneeded medications out of Howell homes for the DEA's National Drug Take-Back Day.

National Drug Take-Back Day is a twice-yearly event where unneeded medications can be turned in to participating police departments nationwide, with the goal of keeping addictive prescription opioids and other pain medications off the streets, to prevent misuse and substance use disorder.

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Nearly 2,500 youth in the U.S. every day take a prescription pain reliever to intentionally get high for the very first time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2025, overdoses claimed about 69,973 lives, according to the CDC, and more than 44,500 of those deaths were attributed to fentanyl, heroin, and other opioids, including prescription pain medications.

"In Howell, we diligently promote the immediate disposal of unwanted medications year-round," Howell Police Chief John Storrow said. "This is why we have opted to route community members to our Project Medicine Drop box on National Drug Take-Back Day, the same as we do every other day of the year. This gives consistent messaging and also ensures that people with good intentions don't stockpile unwanted medications while waiting for Take-Back Day to arrive."

National Drug Take-Back Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 24. Unwanted medications can be dropped off in the Project Medicine Drop box lin the lobby at police headquarters, 300 Old Tavern Road in Howell. The box is available around the clock seven days a week for those who wish to dispose of medications.

When dropping off medications, please remove or black out personal information. Liquids, needles, and syringes are NOT accepted in the drop box; information on their disposal is at the bottom of this article.

House-bound residents who cannot get to the police department can call the Howell police's non-emergency number at 732-938-4111 to schedule an at-home pick-up of unwanted medications.

In addition, the Howell Alliance distributes free, easy-to-use drug disposal packets to keep on hand for immediate at-home disposal of unwanted medications. The packets can be obtained by calling the Alliance at 732-938-4500, ext. 4012, or sending an email to criddle@twp.howell.nj.us.

The packets also are on the Alliance's information and resources board at town hall (on the right wall just before the clerk's office window).

From 2019 to 2025, Howell Township disposed of 4,188 pounds of unwanted medications.

For more information or a free Narcan kit to keep on hand, contact Christa Riddle, Howell Alliance Coordinator, at 732-938-4500 ext. 4012, or criddle@twp.howell.nj.us.

For those needing to dispose of liquid medications, follow these steps from the Food and Drug Administration:

1. Remove the drugs from their original containers and mix them with something undesirable, such as used coffee grounds, dirt or cat litter. This makes the medicine less appealing to children and pets – and unrecognizable to someone who might intentionally go through the trash looking for drugs.
2. Put the mixture in something you can close (a resealable zipper storage bag, empty can or other container) to prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.
3. Throw the container in the trash at home.
4. Scratch out all your personal information on the empty medicine packaging to protect your identity and privacy. Throw the packaging away.

Syringes or needles can be disposed of in two ways locally, according to SafeNeedleDisposal.org: