SHERIFF GOLDEN IS URGING RESIDENTS TO CLEAN OUT THEIR MEDICINE CABINETS AS PART OF NATIONAL TAKE BACK INITIATIVE

Freehold: Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
will be participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Sept. 27. That’s the day
to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medicine. The statewide event, hosted by the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division, raises awareness of prescription drug
abuse.

The drop off location for the sheriff’s office will be at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
Public Safety Center, 2500 Kozloski Rd., Freehold, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where a sheriff’s
officer will be present. All medications should be placed in the drop off box provided by the
DEA. The program is anonymous and no questions will be asked of participants.

“This effort will help reduce the prescription drugs that are readily available to our children,”
said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Prescription drugs are considered a gateway drug to other serious
and dangerous street drugs, such as heroin, which is a continuing problem in Monmouth
County. The program enables us to get our unwanted, unused and expired medicine out of our
homes and to law enforcement agencies for proper disposal.”

According to the DEA, the goal of the program is to allow residents to deliver these medications to law enforcement officials who can dispose of the medications in a safe and non- hazardous manner, preventing them from falling into the hands of juveniles or into the illicit market in our communities.

“It is vital that the public become aware of the growing problem of prescription drug abuse among teens,” said Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, Pres. and CEO, Preferred Behavioral Health of N.J. “I commend the sheriff’s office for its dedication to this program. Through this effort, we can reduce the amount of prescription drugs that are readily available to teens.”

In addition to participating in National Take Back Initiative, the sheriff’s office has a permanent collection site, located in the front entrance of the Public Safety Center, which residents can utilize Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“As liaison to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, I’m proud of the efforts this agency has made in the fight against prescription drug abuse among teens,” said Freeholder Director Lillian Burry. “It’s crucial that unused, unwanted and expired drugs lurking in people’s medicine cabinets do not end up in the wrong hands.”

News Advisory – MCSO to Participate in Drug Take Back Initiative