Sussex County Medication Take Back Day

CLEAR OUT YOUR MEDICINE CABINET: SAFELY DISPOSE OF UNUSED MEDICATIONS 
ON NATIONAL TAKE BACK DAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024

October 21, 2024, Newton, NJ – Are unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs lingering in your medicine cabinet? It’s easy to forget about them, but holding on to these medications can pose real risks. That’s why The Center for Prevention & Counseling’s (CFPC) Coalition for Healthy & Safe Communities, in partnership with local law enforcement, is promoting the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at eleven Sussex County locations.

“Take Back Days are hosted twice a year to give people a simple, no-questions-asked way to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, and unused medications – whether prescription or over-the-counter,” said Tina Aue, CFPC Director of Prevention Services. “Keeping unused medications in the home increases the risk of accidental misuse or poisoning, especially for children or seniors who may unknowingly take the wrong pills. Many people aren’t aware that improper disposal, such as flushing medications or tossing them in the trash, can also harm the environment by contaminating water systems. We encourage all Sussex County residents to take a few minutes to gather any unwanted medications and drop them off at a local collection site. This small action helps prevent prescription drug misuse in our community and protects the environment for future generations.”

During the April 2024 Take Back Day, New Jersey residents safely disposed of 14,671 pounds of unwanted medication, with Sussex County, NJ residents contributing 921 pounds, or 6.23%, toward this total.  The community is encouraged to participate in this important initiative to continue helping prevent prescription drug misuse and protect the environment.

To find a Sussex County, NJ, Take Back Day location near you, visit www.tinyurl.com/TBDOCT24

To find Take Back Day locations throughout the United States, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday.

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The Sussex County Coalition for Healthy and Safe Communities, a program of The Center for Prevention & Counseling, was founded in 1998 by concerned local citizens to promote healthy youth development and reduce risk factors that lead to problematic adolescent behaviors. Over the past 25 years, the Coalition has become a trusted resource for schools, parents, students, and community members, providing valuable information and programs on alcohol, drugs, youth violence, and prevention strategies.

With a strong focus on enhancing addiction and substance use disorder prevention strategies for youth, the Coalition continues its mission to foster a safer, healthier community through education, collaboration, and evidence-based prevention efforts. The coalition meets monthly on the second Friday at 9:00 am and is always open to new members. For more information, visit www.centerforprevention.org/our-coalitions