Hunterdon County collects more than 600 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs during National Take Back Day on Oct. 28

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson and Hunterdon County Sheriff, Frederick W. Brown have announced the results of a joint initiative known as National Take Back Day.

Sponsored by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration – DEA, Take Back Day is a national event that aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Hunterdon County’s Take Back Day is a collaborative effort involving the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force, Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Office, local Police Departments, New Jersey State Police, and the Safe Communities Coalition.

The October 28 Take Back Day resulted in a collection of 639 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs from throughout Hunterdon County.

A total of 1,189 pounds of unwanted drugs were collected between May 2023 and October 28. Citizens were able to visit Take Back Day collection sites located at police departments and public buildings to discard their unused and expired medications.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans need to know that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, both pose potential safety and health hazards.

The following is a list of the permanent prescription pill drop-off boxes in Hunterdon County: