The American Medicine Chest Challenge

RIDGEFIELD PARK — For the third consecutive year, residents may dispose of any unused, unwanted and expired medications as part of the Operation Take Back New Jersey Program. For a four-hour period on April 30, the Ridgefield ParkPolice Department will be the one-stop depot for villagers wishing to properly discard of prescription or non-prescription medicine.

The goal of this program is to allow the residents of Ridgefield Park to deliver all of these medications to local law enforcement officials who can, in turn, dispose of these controlled substances in a safe and non-hazardous manner, Sgt. Scott Ehalt said.

The primary mission of Operation Take Back New Jersey, a program created by The American Medicine Chest, is to prevent these pills from falling into the wrong hands or getting into the water system.

Residents are asked not to flush their medications down the drain as they have been found to work their way back into the drinking water.

Recent data provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration has indicated that with the exception of marijuana, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused substances, Ehalt said.

"The Ridgefield Park Police Department is alerting residents to be aware that their medicine cabinets are access points for potential misuse of over the counter and prescription medications," he said.

In order to prevent the abuse of prescription and over the counter medication in your home, The American Medicine Chest recommends following five simple steps.

First, take inventory of all medication in your home and make sure to lock all medicine by placing everything out of reach and out of sight. Dispose of your unused, unwanted and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.

Take your medication exactly as prescribed and lastly, talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

For more information and to read safety tips, visit www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com or contact Sgt Scott Ehalt at sehalt@rppd.org.

Operation Take Back New Jersey takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at theRidgefield Park Police Department, 234 Main St.

Email: decicco@northjersey.com