NEWARK – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, Susan A. Gibson, announced that New Jersey residents turned in 16,532 pounds or 8 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted medications during DEA’s 18th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
According to a release, on Oct. 26, DEA and 206 police departments collected the medications at 225 collection sites across New Jersey. Across the United States, the public turned in 882,919 pounds – almost 442 tons- of medications.
The Take Back program began in New Jersey in 2009 before becoming the national program that it is today. Since its inception, New Jersey residents have turned in more than 277,000 pounds or 138 tons.
This was also the first time that residents were able to turn in vaping devices and cartridges. DEA is working diligently in our communities and through our outreach efforts to spread the word about the dangers of vaping.
“Once again, the residents of New Jersey played their part in keeping their homes safe by removing these unwanted medications,” stated Gibson. “They can be highly susceptible to misuse, abuse, and theft. Thank you to everyone who took the time to dispose of their medications.”
“DEA’s Take Back Day events have been extremely successful in not only removing potentially dangerous unused drugs from our nation’s medicine cabinets but also in raising awareness of their link to addiction and overdose deaths,” stated DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “In an effort to combat another emerging public health threat – particularly to our nation’s youth – we’re proud to have extended the same opportunity to those looking to dispose of harmful vaping products.”
DEA’s next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 25, 2020.
