Drop Off Unused Medicine In Basking Ridge This Saturday

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Need to dispose of any unwanted or outdated medicine? An Rx Mission Drive-in/Drop-Off event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bernards Township Public Works Garage (277 South Maple Ave.).

The drive-thru event will occur rain or shine. Medication should be in the original packaging with the name of the medication visible. All personal information should be removed, and people should not drop off illegal drugs, needles or sharps.

"The purpose of this free program is to help protect the environment by getting rid of dangerous pharmaceuticals such as unwanted, unused and outdated medicine," said Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo. “Through the support of our residents, for over 10 years our county has been safer because of the drop-off program."

Most people take prescription drugs responsibly, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. But about 18 million people in 2017 — more than 6 percent of people 12 or older — misused medication at least once that year, according to the institute.

The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows an estimated 2 million Americans have misused prescription pain relievers for the first time between 2016 and 2017, which averages to about 5,480 first-time drug misuse per day.

Furthermore, prescription drugs, including opioids and antidepressants, are responsible for more overdose deaths than "street drugs" such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Several participating towns around Somerset County also have drop boxes, including the Bernards Township Police Department (1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge).

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office has a 24-hour drop box on the lower level of the Somerset County Administration Building (20 Grove St., Somerville), near the entrance to the sheriff's office. Due to the pandemic, residents should wear masks and will get escorted by an officer to make their deposit.

For more information about medicine collection in Somerset County, contact Officer Joe Bialy at 908-231-7197 or Captain Steve SanAntonio at 908-231-7168.

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