Morris County Law Enforcement Officials Announce Success of Operation Take-Back
Published on April 28, 2014
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs, Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford, Morris Plains Police Chief Scott Thompson, Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoe, and Mountain Lakes Police Chief Shawn Bennett announce that Operation Take-Back, which was jointly held by their agencies on Saturday, April 26, 2014, was a huge success. Numerous other municipalities in Morris County also independently participated in this national program.
Three sites were used for the joint operation, the Randolph Municipal Building, the Mountain Lakes Fire Department, and the Stop and Shop Supermarket at the intersection of Route 10 and Littleton Road in Morris Plains. The three sites received a combined total of 516 pounds of prescription and over-the- counter medications. Morris Plains recovered 222 pounds, Randolph Township recovered 142 pounds, and Mountain Lakes recovered 152 pounds. This is a substantial increase over past years' collections. In April, 2012, 240 pounds were recovered and in October, 2012, 326 pounds were recovered. In April, 2013, 301 pounds were recovered and in October, 2013, approximately 271 pounds were recovered.
Operation Take-Back is a national initiative which encourages individuals to return unused or expired prescriptions, controlled substances and over-the-counter medications for safe disposal. Citizens give their unused medications to law enforcement officials without releasing personal information. The medications are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
In addition to helping individuals dispose of unused prescription drugs, Operation Take-Back promotes awareness of juvenile prescription drug prevention efforts.
Concerning the operation, Acting Prosecutor Knapp stated "Prescription drug abuse is a precursor to addiction to heroin and other hard drugs. Operation Take-Back has been hugely successful in removing these gateway drugs from circulation.
Operation Take-Back is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Prevention Network, New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Morris Plains Police Department, Randolph Police Department, Mountain Lakes Police Department, Stop and Shop Supermarket, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp, Chief Speirs, Sheriff Rochford, Chief Thompson, Chief Stokoe, and Chief Bennett thank all members from their respective agencies who took part in Saturday's operation.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.