'Operation Take Back' Coming To Holiday City On Tuesday Morning

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has collected and destroyed over 23,000 pounds of various prescriptions and drugs over the last three years.

And the office hopes to add much more to that on May 2, when "Ocean County Prescription Take-Back Day" take place at the Holiday City at Berkeley Clubhouse 2 at 631 Jamaica Boulevard in Berkeley Township.

The event will also include health screenings, information tables and presentations from the Prosecutor's Office and other agencies from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Ocean County has seen its share of opioid drug-related deaths and every step we take together helps in some small way to address this epidemic,” said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. “Even something as small as dropping off old prescription drugs at any of the drop off boxes located at police departments throughout Ocean County helps make a difference. We want to encourage citizens to take advantage of these opportunities to clean their medicine cabinets to help protect their homes as well as their communities.”

Many Ocean County police departments participate in the Prescription Take-Back Program. There are 19 departments hosting permanent drop-off boxes available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the county.

Medicines that are left or forgotten in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse, according to the Prosecutor's Office..

Residents should be aware that flushing prescriptions drugs or other medicines down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards as well.

For more information on the May 2 program contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027.

Image: Berkeley Township