Public “Takes Back" Unwanted Medications

By MADDY VITALE Claire McGough, of Sea Isle City, brought a filled bag to the Sea Isle City Police Department Saturday morning. She could not wait to get rid of the contents. “I had 98 pills and other medication I have been meaning to drop off,” McGough, 79, said. “I didn’t want to flush them down the drain.” McGough brought the unused and unwanted medications to the police department for “Take Back Day,” an event in which police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration give the opportunity to rid their homes of prescription drugs. For McGough, it was just a matter of safely disposing of medications she no longer needs. “I have had this medication in a bag for a while and I am so pleased to finally get her and dispose of it,” she said. This is really a great program.” Police Chief Tom McQuillen called it a great program. “We want everyone to recognize the dangers of not properly disposing of their old medications. Events like this provide a great opportunity to properly dispose of their expired, unused medicine,” McQuillen noted. “It is our hope that by having these events we are doing all that we can to help with the fight against prescription drug abuse.” Some people drop off the medications so that the pills don’t end up in the wrong hands. Others just want to safely dispose of them rather than flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash, police said. McGough wasn’t the only one to attend the event in the lobby of the police department at 233 JFK Boulevard. “Take Back Day” ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Frank Roach, president of Sea Isle’s AARP Chapter 710, stopped in to dispose of medications. “All of our AARP members are using the medicine drop box,” he pointed out. “It is the greatest program going.” Frank Roach, of Upper Township, disposes of a bottle of medication. Detective Sgt Bill Bradshaw was on hand at the collection box to answer any questions the public may have. “It is going great,” Bradshaw said of the day’s event. “Twenty-four pounds of medication was collected today so the year total is 247 pounds.” He pointed out that people may take their medications to the department seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The medicine drop box was installed at the department last year. Bradshaw emphasized that although Saturday’s event is vital, the public should know that they can go to the police department anytime to dispose of medications. In addition to pills, medicine patches are accepted. Liquids, needles or sharps are not allowed. The service is free and anonymous. Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 469 tons (more than 937,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners, according to a press release Overall, in its 17 previous “Take Back” events, the DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11.8 million pounds – approximately 5,900 tons – of pills. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or contact Detective Sgt. Bradshaw at the Sea Isle City Police Department at (609) 263-4311, ext. 2302. Located on the first floor lobby of City Hall, the medicine drop box is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.