Sheriff Shaun Golden is urging residents to clean out their medicine cabinets as part of National Take Back Initiative

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Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Take Back Initiative on October 26. That’s the day to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medicine. The statewide event, hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division, raises statewide awareness of prescription drug abuse.

The drop off location for the sheriff’s office will be at 50 East Main Street, Freehold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where a sheriff’s officer will be present. All medications should be disposed of in the drop off box provided by the DEA. The program is anonymous and no questions will be asked of participants.

“This effort will help reduce the prescription drugs that are readily available to our children,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Prescription drugs are considered a gateway drug to other serious and dangerous street drugs. The program enables us to get our unwanted, unused and expired medicine out of our homes and to law enforcement agencies for proper disposal.”

According to the DEA, the goal of the program is to allow residents to deliver these medications to law enforcement officials who can dispose of the medications in a safe and non hazardous manner, preventing them from falling into the hands of juveniles or into the illicit market in our communities.

In addition to participating in National Take Back Initiative, the sheriff’s office has a permanent collection site, located at the back entrance to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, which residents can utilize Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm.

“It is vital that the public become aware of the growing problem of prescription drug abuse among teens,” said Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, Executive Director – Prevention First. “I commend the sheriff’s office for its dedication to this program. Through this effort, we can reduce the amount of prescription drugs that are readily available to teens.”