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11.5.2011

Salem Co., NJ: Collection of old prescription drugs in Salem County to be coordinated by Sheriff's Office

 

Collection of old prescription drugs in Salem County to be coordinated by Sheriff's Office

Published: Friday, November 04, 2011, 6:00 PM     Updated: Friday, November 04, 2011, 6:06 PM
sheriff car.jpgThe Salem County Sheriff's Department will take part in the American Medicine Chest Challenge.
SALEM — The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) — a public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse — will be held in communities throughout New Jersey, including Salem County, on Nov. 12.

The New Jersey event is being coordinated by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey (SANJ), and Drug Enforcement Administration–New Jersey.

This initiative will challenge Salem County residents to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.

• Lock your medicine chest.

• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.

• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.

• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Residents of Salem County can turn in unused or expired prescription medication at the collection site located at the county courthouse, 92 Market St., Salem, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

AMCC is based on the success of the nationally-recognized Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey (OMC-NJ). 

OMC-NJ was the first in the nation statewide day of disposal, held in November 2009 with a one day, four-hour, state-wide event that netted more than 9,000 pounds of medicine, with a street value of more than $35 million, while simultaneously garnering over a million dollars in in-kind media attention on the issue of prescription and over the counter drug abuse. 

The program was recognized in the 2010 Drug Strategy of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the New Jersey Ad Club, Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association, the Public Relations Society of New Jersey, and the National Association of Government Communicators.

According to AMCC Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the PDFNJ Angelo M. Valente, “The goal of this community-based public health initiative is to inform New Jersey families of the need to dispose of their unused, unwanted, and expired medicine because these excess medicines can be a danger lurking in the family home.

“The American Medicine Chest 5-Step Challenge will help save the lives of your children.”

Salem County Sheriff Chuck Miller stated, “This program is an excellent opportunity to ensure that dangerous prescription medications are surrendered to law enforcement authorities and kept out of the hands of our children or others intent on abusing them.”
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