Woodbridge To Have Drug Take-Back Day

Written by Woodbridge Township officials:

The Woodbridge Police Department (WPD) will participate in “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” on Sat., April 26, 2014 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the WPD Headquarters located at Town Hall, One Main Street, Woodbridge. 

The national prescription drug “give-back” program, designed to prevent prescription drug abuse, is sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Woodbridge Police Department.

Woodbridge Police Director Robert Hubner noted that prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the region, and that law enforcement-sponsored take back events are a useful tool in the effort to reduce the diversion and abuse of prescription medications.

The WPD will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs that are potentially dangerous if left in the family medicine cabinet.  Law enforcement investigations have determined that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse and that individuals that abuse prescription drugs often obtained them from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. 

According to Director Hubner, the WPD collected nearly 50 pounds of prescription drugs and medications last October as part of “Operation Take Back New Jersey.”  Statewide, police agencies have collected more than 98,947 pounds of prescription drugs as a result of prior “Operation Take Back” programs; nationwide, more than 3.4 million pounds of unused, unwanted, and expired prescription medications have been collected as part of “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”

Woodbridge residents should bring unused and expired prescription drugs (if possible in the original prescription container), powders, pills, liquids, and unused medication needles and syringes to the Woodbridge Police Department Reception room located in the lower lobby, Town Hall, One Main Street.  For more information contact the WPD at 732-634-7700.