The Nutley Police Department has created a permanent medicine drop box on the second floor of police headquarters, 228 Chestnut St.
The installation coincided with the nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – April 29.
“This is an important part of our department’s drug abuse education program and is intended to help residents dispose of unwanted medicines and pharmaceuticals in a safe and secure way. If we can provide any deterrent to drugs being available to people at risk then we are doing our job,” Public Safety Commissioner Al Petracco said.
Chief Thomas Strumolo said: “We’ve seen countless stories in recent years about the alarming rise in prescription drug abuse, which is now serving as a gateway to heroin abuse because it produces a similar, but cheaper, high. Many times an innocent bottle of painkillers prescribed legally to an adult goes largely unused and remains in a medicine cabinet where teens can get their hands on them.”
Residents may visit NPD HQ at any time – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year – to anonymously dispose of unused or excess meds with no questions asked.
Solid pharmaceuticals such as pills, capsules, patches, inhalers and pet medications can be disposed of in the drop box. It cannot accept syringes or liquids.
“The medicine does not need to be in a plastic bag and residents can just drop it in the box,” Strumolo said.
For more information about the drop box, call 973-284-4940.
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