Drive Through and Drop Off Unused Medications at Bernards Police Department

The Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse and Bernards Township Police Department will hold the Township’s second annual Medicine Drop Off Drive Thru on Saturday, March 28.

From 10 a.m. to noon, all are invited to simply drive up to the Bernards Township Police station, safely hand unused medication to a Municipal Alliance member, and drive away – it’s that simple. The medication will then be safely and anonymously disposed of.

>> Related: Community Workshop To Tackle Heroin Addiction, Narcan Use, Recovery Resources

“We’re so excited to be hosting this event again. It’s great to give people an opportunity to drop off any unused prescription or over the counter medication. They don’t even have to get out of their cars! It couldn’t be more convenient,” Community Program Coordinator and Municipal Alliance Grant Coordinator Kaitlin Kordusky said.

Many patients only use prescribed medications until they feel better, leaving unused medications sitting in the bathroom drawer or medicine cabinet for long periods of time. Leaving prescriptions unattended can lead to harmful outcomes – someone else may find the medication and use it in a dangerous way or try to dispose of it improperly.

“Leftover medicines pose serious safety and health threats and also raise environmental concerns,” Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano stated.

“Prescription-drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States. Among youth, seven of the top 10 abused substances are pharmaceuticals. Additionally, medicines flushed down the drain or toilet can contaminate bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking-water supplies.”

Medications should be dropped off in their original packages or bottles. Participants should black out names on all prescription packages or bottles.

These medications can be unused, expired, over the counter, or prescription. Only solid medications, pills, patches, inhalers or similar objects can be accepted. Liquids, medical waste, oxygen tanks, needles, and syringes cannot be accepted. Participants are welcome to put multiple medication bottles or boxes into a bag or hand them over individually. Additional info can be found here.

Signs will be posted at 1 Collyer Lane on the day of the Drive Thru. Participants should follow the signs to the Police Department where Municipal Alliance members will be standing. Please note that the Drop Off Box that is located at the Bernards Township Police Department is always open for drop off Monday – Friday from 6:30am until 8:30 pm. To drop off at other times, please call the Bernards Township non-emergency line at (908) 766-1122.

About the Municipal Alliance

The mission of the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse is to provide consultation, programs, training and resources to members of the Bernards Township community with the goal of preventing and reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through education, support of events and programs and presence in the community. For more information, visit www.bernardsalliance.org.

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