Teaneck police to participate in Operation Medicine Cabinet

The Teaneck Police Department along with New Jersey DEA, Office of the Attorney General and over 250 local police departments have signed up to participate in “Operation Medicine Cabinet.” The object is to bring public attention to an issue that is impacting our youth, our families and our communities. This coordinated effort is available for all residents to properly dispose of their unused, unwanted and expired medicines and is the first of its kind in the nation.

New Jersey Attorney General Ann Milgram said, “We can’t break a cycle of dependence if powerful prescription drugs are stashed in our homes, tucked away in drawers and cabinets. With Operation Medicine Cabinet, we are calling on all New Jersey residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes – as access points for potential misuse and abuse of the over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people”.

According to recent investigation by the National Study of Drug-Use and Health, 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives and that report indicates that upward of 9 million people use prescription medications for non-medical uses. What is equally disturbing, is that 47% of New Jersey parents of middle school students, said they know little or just about nothing about prescription drug abuse.

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On November 14 and 15, 2009, the Teaneck Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert A. Wilson, will participate in Operation Medicine Cabinet from 10:00 am-2:00 pm for each of the two days. Residents are encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets or drawers of all unwanted prescription medications and drop them off at the police station. A tent will be set up outside Police Hq. where you can conveniently dispose of these items. All medicines will be safely collected and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for proper disposal. No questions will be asked and your identity will be protected.

– All prescription items will be accepted.

– Please remove the prescription label if it contains any personal identifying information.

– Liquid products (such as cough medicine) should be sealed in their original containers and the cap should be tight to prevent leakage.

– SYRINGES and other SHARP instruments will NOT be accepted.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Teaneck Police Community Policing Bureau at 201-837-8759 or email at mfalvey@teaneckpolice.org.