The Morris County Operation Take-Back Day Program Yields Impressive Results

Published on May 06, 2016

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs announce that the 11th Bi-Annual Operation Take-Back Day Program was a tremendous success.

A national initiative, Operation Take-Back Day encourages individuals to turn in unused or expired prescriptions, controlled substances and over-the-counter medications for safe disposal. After the event, law enforcement officials will dispose of the medications collected in an environmentally safe manner. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Held on Saturday April 30, 2016 the Morris County Prosecutor's Office partnered with local Police Departments at four satellite locations in Morris County at which a total of 726 pounds of medications was collected. In contrast, 342 pounds was collected during Operation Take Back-Day in September 2015, 356 pounds in September 2014, and 516 pounds in April 2014. The following is a list of the locations and amounts collected during the most recent event:

Stop and Shop Supermarket 257 pounds.
Morris Plains, NJ

ACME Supermarket 281 pounds.
Randolph, NJ

Morristown High School 143 pounds.
Morristown, NJ

Mountain Lakes Fire Dept. 45 pounds.
Mountain Lakes, NJ

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, a total of 1365 pounds was collected from these as well as other various locations throughout Morris County during this year's first Operation Take-Back Day. In comparison, 836 pounds was collected countywide in September 2015.

I want to thank those citizens and local Police Departments who participated in this worthy cause. The results are very encouraging and it is my hope that future Operation Take-Back Days will be as successful as this one said Prosecutor Knapp. Our efforts to educate the public on the need to properly dispose of their unused medication have met with apparent success he said.

In addition to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the program was supported by Morris Plains Borough Police Chief Jason A. Kohn, Morris Township Police Chief John McGuinness, Morristown Bureau of Police Chief Peter Demnitz, Mountain Lakes Borough Police Chief Shawn Bennett and Randolph Township Police Chief David Stokoe.

A second Operation Take-Back Day will be scheduled for later this year, date to be set. During the interim, you can log onto http://safehealthymorris.org/dropbox/ for a list of permanent drop box locations nearest you.

Any inquiries regarding Operation Take-Back Day can be directed to Agent Paul Merkler at pmerkler@co.morris.nj.us.