Get Rid of Unwanted and Expired Medications on Nov. 9

Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano (second from right) joins, from left to right, Sheriff’s Officer Tom Wallace; Jerri Collevechio, director of community coalitions, Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset, NJ; Franklin Township Police Chief Larry Roberts; and Bruce Yellin of Raritan Valley Community College Advising and Counseling Services at the installation of a medicine drop box at Franklin Township police headquarters.
Photo courtesy Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will host the annual American Medicine Chest Challenge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the office headquarters, 20 Grove St., Somerville.

A sheriff’s officer will be stationed at the entrance to collect medications, according to a press release about the event.

Unused, unwanted and expired medications should be placed in re-closeable plastic bags. Needles and syringes can not be accepted.

“The event is a safe way for residents to dispose of unwanted medicines that are in their homes,” Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano said in the release. “Nationally, millions of Americans over the age of 12 have reported misusing prescription drugs.  Together we can help eliminate abused prescription drugs – and reduce the hazard they pose to our families and friends – in a safe, legal and environmentally sound way.”

The Sheriff’s Office has collected more than 2,40 pounds of unwanted medications over the last two years, according to the release.

Provenzano established in 2012 “Project Medicine Drop,” through which Somerset County residents could dispose of unwanted medications in drop boxes located outside the Sheriff’s Office. Hillsborough and Bernards police departments joined the program later in 2012 and earlier this year, and Provenzano recently announced that Franklin Township police have joined as well.

The drop box is located at township police headquarters on DeMott Lane.

Branchburg and North Plainfield police departments also recently joined the program.

The Sheriff’s Office runs the program in conjunction with the state Division of Consumer Affairs, the state Attorney General’s office and the Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset.

For more information about prescription medicine collection, contact Lt. Steve SanAntonio at (908) 231-7168 or Officer Thomas Wallace at (908) 231-7138.

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