Crime & Safety

Dispose Of Unwanted, Unused Prescription Drugs At Wayne PD

"Operation Take Back" is Saturday at police headquarters.

WAYNE, NJ – Wayne police, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will host a prescription medication drop off event, giving the public a chance to dispose of unused pills

The annual “Operation Take Back” collection will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of police headquarters, 475 Valley Road, Wayne.

Unused prescription medication, including pills, capsules, patches and pet medications can be dropped off, however no liquids, syringes or medical waste will be accepted. Residents are asked to empty their unwanted pills from the original containers and secure them in a plastic zipper storage bag prior to coming to headquarters and depositing the medication into the collection box.

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Those who wish to dispose of those items should contact their doctor or pharmacist to find the safest and best ways to do so.

Additionally, only legal prescription or over-the-counter medications are accepted. Those who want to get rid of any illicit drug should follow the normal procedure of reporting it to the police.

Find out what's happening in Waynefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Operation Take Back is part of a national initiative to curb prescription drug abuse. It allows for the public to drop off any unused prescription medications anonymously and with no questions asked.

Following the 16thNational Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Oct. 2018, more than 10,878,950 pounds – or 5,349 tons – of unwanted or expired medications have been collected across the country, according to the DEA.

Contact Wayne Police Det. Sgt. James J. Celentano at 973-633-3550 for more information.

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