SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARTICIPATES IN OPERATION TAKE BACK NEW JERSEY

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Mary Pat Angelini, Executive Director of Prevention First, are urging people to clean out their medicine cabinets of unwanted and expired medications. They announced their participation in Operation Take Back New Jersey at a news conference, Tuesday, and, stressed the importance of the drug take back program, which gives people the opportunity to dispose of medications properly. The program is being held on September 29th from 10am to 2pm at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, 50 East Main Street, Freehold. “This effort will 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. This 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, the goal of the program is to allow residents to deliver medications to law enforcement officials who can dispose of these pills in a safe and non hazardous manner, preventing them from falling into the hands of juveniles and into the illicit market in our communities. A sheriff’s officer will be present on September 29th and all medications should be disposed of in the drop off box provided. The program is anonymous and no questions will be asked of participants.

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“An additional benefit of this effort is that all of the prescription medicines turned in will be disposed of properly,” said Freeholder Director John P. Curly. “That helps safeguard lives and keeps these medicines out of our water supply which protects the environment.”

“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 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.”

In addition to participating in Operation Take Back New Jersey and the American Medicine Chest Challenge on November 10th, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is taking this initiative one step further. The agency has set up a permanent collection site which is located at the back of the entrance to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office which residents can utilize Monday through Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm. It is the only drop off site in Monmouth County designated by the DEA. Mary Pat Angelini encouraged Sheriff Golden to participate in this take back initiative year round. “It is vital that the public become aware of the growing problem of prescription drug abuse among teens,” said Mary Pat Angelini. “I commend the sheriff’s office for its dedication to this program. Through this collaborative effort we can reduce the amount of prescription drugs that are readily available to teens.”

BIGSPLASH Graphics of Freehold donated their time and resources in creating the permanent drop box.