LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today joined Little Egg Harbor Township Mayor Arthur R. Midgley and Police Chief Richard J. Buzby Jr. to announce the installation of New Jersey’s newest “Project Medicine Drop” box at the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department.

“Project Medicine Drop is just one component of New Jersey’s fight against opiate abuse,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “This effort also includes the Attorney General’s Opiates Task Force, which takes criminal enforcement action against heroin and pill diversion rings, as well as our partnerships with the medical community, the law enforcement community, and the public.”

Today’s announcement makes it easier and more convenient than ever for Little Egg Harbor Township residents to take an active role in the fight against the nationwide epidemic of opiate and heroin abuse, which often is fueled by the abuse of prescription painkillers.  

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said, “Ocean County has 14 Project Medicine Drop boxes, making ours one of the most active counties in this initiative. Our county continues to bring new and innovative tools to bear in the fight against opiate abuse.”

The department’s new Project Medicine Drop box is located at Little Egg Harbor Township Police headquarters, 665 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087. Residents may visit the Little Egg Harbor Police Department at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to dispose of their unused or excess medications.

Little Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Richard J. Buzby Jr. said, ““Project Medicine Drop is a natural addition to our commitment to help improve the public safety and quality of life in Little Egg Harbor Township. It will encourage our residents to be fully aware of the potential for abuse presented by otherwise beneficial medications.”

Little Egg Harbor Township’s Project Medicine Drop box also is expected to help deter burglaries and other property crimes. The Police Department is donating signs to senior citizen communities, which will advertise the fact that Project Medicine Drop is used – and inform criminals that large quantities of pills are not likely to be found in the homes nearby.

Project Medicine Drop is an initiative of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, within the Office of the Attorney General.  The Division of Consumer Affairs installs secure “prescription drug drop boxes” at police departments, sheriff’s offices, and State Police barracks across New Jersey, allowing citizens to safely dispose of their unused, excess, or expired prescription medications.  

To date, the Division of Consumer Affairs has installed 122 Project Medicine Drop boxes across New Jersey, including 14 in Ocean County. Since the program’s launch in November 2011, New Jerseyans have disposed of a total of approximately 43,616 pounds, or 21.8 tons, of unused medications through Project Medicine Drop. More than half of that total, approximately 56 percent, was dropped off in 2014 alone. 

By giving New Jerseyans a safe and secure method to dispose of unneeded medications, Project Medicine Drop helps prevent the abuse of these drugs. This initiative also protects New Jersey’s environment by keeping these drugs out of landfills and out of the water supply. 

More information about Project Medicine Drop, including the full list of Project Medicine Drop locations across New Jersey, can be found at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop.

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