Union County to Participate in DEA’s National Take Back Initiative

Union County Public Safety Center, 300 North Avenue E, Westfield, NJ | Get Directions »
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Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella encourages Union County residents to rid their homes of unwanted and expired medication at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Initiative this Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to 2 pm.

“We receive a lot of inquiries about the best ways to dispose of various kinds of medication,” noted Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.  “Although we have guidelines the public can refer to on medication disposal, the National Take Back Initiative coordinates safe and reliable drop-off points that are properly staffed to ensure no medication ends up in the wrong hands.”

Take Back events are a tool for reducing the abuse of prescription and non-prescription medications.  The goal of the program is to allow citizens to turn unused, unwanted or expired medications in to law enforcement officials who will dispose of the substances in a safe and non-hazardous manner.

During October 2011, Operation Take Back New Jersey collected 9831 pounds of medication state-wide.

Union County Police Department at 300 North Ave East in Westfield will be staffed for collection in addition to various police departments throughout Union County.  For a full listing of participating locations visit http://ucnj.org/community/recycling/medication-disposal.

For additional information on the National Take Back Initiative contact the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at 908-654-9890.