Mahwah Installs Drop Box To Collect Unwanted, Unused Medications

MAHWAH, N.J. — The Mahwah Police Department and Mahwah Municipal Alliance have provided residents a drop box to dispose of their unwanted and unused medications, mainly pills.

The drop box is part of the statewide Project Medicine Drop. It is located at the police department at 221 Franklin Turnpike. Residents may drop off their unwanted or unused pills, including painkillers like Oxycodone and other opiates, at the box, 24 hours a day, officials said. The containers pills come in may be dropped off as well, but police ask residents to remove any labels from the containers before placing them in the box.

Project Medicine Drop is sponsored by the state Attorney General's Office. It is a multi-million effort to try to reduce the opiate addiction problem that is sweeping through New Jersey. The Mahwah Municipal Alliance purchased the box.

Police Chief James N. Batelli said the initial "overwhelming" response of residents dropping off medications, "demonstrates the need and importance for this type of program."

"I applaud the [Alliance] to work in such a collaborative effort with other state agencies for the betterment and safety of our community."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Pictured, from left: Doug Collier of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Mayor William Laforet, and Police Chief James N. Batelli.