Full Time Disposal for Unwanted Meds Now Available in Washington Twp.

A semi-annual event for unwanted, unused, or expired medicines became such a hit over the last half-decade in Washington Township, residents and officials came together to make it always available.

The April and September Operation Take Back events, which let residents anonymously bring any and all over the counter or prescription medicines to a drop-off box stationed at the Washington Township Police Headquarters garnered upwards of 80 pounds per session, proving it was a worthwhile cause in the municipality.

Because of that, the township’s Board of Health, including health officer Chris Cooke-Gibbs and board chair John Thomas, approached the police department seven months ago about making the drop-off availability a full-time venture.

From there, the township approached the Morris County Sheriff’s Department – the agency overseeing pick-up and incineration of the medicines – about having a box brought to Washington Township.

Thanks to a donation by the group Morris County Prevention is Key, Washington Township’s Police Headquarters now has metal drop box in the lobby, which will be emptied by the Sheriff’s Office on pre-determined dates and times.

Drop-off for residents will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though Lt. Doug Compton says residents who choose to use the box between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. will have the ability to enter and dispose of the meds without waiting. Anyone who comes outside of those hours, Compton said, will have to wait to be escorted inside the building.

The box was installed by the Department of Public Works and approved by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. It became available on Oct. 27.

Despite published articles and notifications to residents about the Operation Take Back events, residents continued to miss the date by one or two days, Compton said, and would have to wait another six months. The wait is now over.

Washington Township Police Headquarters is located at 1 East Springtown Road.