Overdose Awareness Day: Drop Boxes In Livingston, Tips For Residents

LIVINGSTON, NJ — In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, Livingston town officials are reminding residents that there are local “drop boxes” where people can safely dispose of unwanted prescription medications – and ways to take action if a loved one suffers a drug overdose.

The Livingston Police Department has two permanent drug drop boxes where residents can drop expired or unused prescription or over-the-counter medications, including pet medications.

The drug drop boxes are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the lobby of Livingston Police Headquarters at 333 South Livingston Avenue. More information is available online here.

Livingston town officials shared the following information in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day:

How to Recognize an Overdose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) share tips on how to recognize an overdose. It is important to understand that recognizing an overdose can be difficult. If there is any uncertainty, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose — a life could be saved. Call 911 immediately. Then, administer naloxone, if it’s available; do not leave the person alone.

Signs of an overdose may include:

• Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
• Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
• Slow, weak, or no breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Cold and/or clammy skin
• Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

Lifesaving Naloxone

Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, and prescription opioid medications. Often given as a nasal spray, Naloxone is safe and easy to use.

Anyone age 14 and older can now acquire Naloxone anonymously and at no cost at participating NJ pharmacies. Visit the NJ Department of Human Services’ Stop Overdose website at StopOverdoses.nj.gov to find information and search for participating pharmacies.

You should carry Naloxone if you or someone you know:

• is at increased risk for opioid overdose, especially those with Opioid Use Disorder
• are taking high-dose opioid medications prescribed by a doctor
• have either opioid and benzodiazepines prescriptions, or use illicit substances like heroin or fentanyl

Remember: You can’t use Naloxone on yourself because it is administered after an overdose has occurred, when the victim is likely either unconscious or has restricted breathing and movement. Let others know you have it in case you experience an opioid overdose.

More information is available on cdc.gov/overdose-prevention.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Livingston Facebook page.