Fair Lawn PD To Take Part In Nat'l Prescription Drug Take Back

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Have any unused or expired medication that you'd like to safely get rid of? If you answered "yes," then the Fair Lawn Police Department will gladly take them off your hands.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, Fair Lawn police will take part in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can drop off their old medications they no longer need at the Fair Lawn Municipal Building, which is at 8-01 Fair Lawn Avenue. If you can't make that location, click here to find another nearby participating agency.

To learn more, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/.