Operation Take Back – Oct. 29, 2011

Prescription drug abuse is a rising epidemic: more than seven million Americans currently abuse these drugs, more than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Studies show that teens who abuse prescription drugs obtained them from family and friends, including taking them from the home medicine cabinet. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. 

The Livingston Police Department will again join forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and participate in “Operation Take Back” on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Police Headquarters.  The goal of the program is to provide a venue for those wanting to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs, safely. Many American flush unused medications down the toilet or throw them away in the garbage, which pose potential health and safety hazards. 

Medicines should be properly disposed of, and this DEA Take Back initiative with local police enforcement and community partners is a significant step towards the White House’s prescription drug abuse prevention strategy as detailed in the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  This policy includes 1) purging America’s home cabinets of neglected drugs; 2) establishing prescription drug monitoring programs in all the states; 3) increasing education of health care providers, patients, parents, and youth about the dangers of prescription drug abuse; and 4) increasing enforcement to address doctor shopping and pill mills.

Many Livingston residents participated in past take-back programs including the one on April 30, 2011, which collected 164 pounds of medications, the largest collection in Essex County. DEA in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills. The success of these Take Back days illustrate the need to provide venues for the safe disposal of these dangerous and addictive prescription drugs as well as helping communities stay healthy, and safeguarding the environment.

For more information on Livingston Police Community Initiatives call 973-992-3000 extension #3600. Or go to the Township website at www.livingstonnj.org. Click on Police in the left hand column. The Police Department is located at the Municipal Town Hall, 333 South Livingston Ave.