Crime & Safety
Dispose Prescription Drugs Safely This Weekend
Wyckoff and Oakland are hosting programs that allow residents to get rid of their prescription medication safely this Saturday.
Despite their well-intended purposes, prescription medications have begun to pose major around the country. Whether it is addiction, theft, loss or disposal, prescription pills need to be handled with care.
The Township of Wyckoff will be holding another edition of “Operation Take Back” which allows residents to safely dispose of their unused or expired prescription medicine. The Oakland Police Department will be conducting their “Drug Take Back” program simultaneously.
The Township of Wyckoff released a statement that speaks to the precautions that need to be taken with prescription drugs.
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Be sure to inventory and secure all of the medication in your home. Do not leave medications (pills or liquids) in the bathroom medicine cabinets or on kitchen counters where they are accessible to anyone who may visit your home. The Wyckoff Police Department reports a growing trend of intentional abuse of prescription drugs, in addition to alcohol, among teenagers.
Oakland Councilman Pat Pignatelli weighed in on the importance of proper disposal of prescription drugs.
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“Don’t just throw your medication into the garbage. That goes to the landfill, leaks into the ground, reaches the water table and you’re going to see it again in the environment,” said Pignatelli. “You just bring it in, drop it in the box and no questions asked. Please do that. It’s very important to the environment.”
Wyckoff’s “Operation Take Back” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Town Hall. Oakland’s “Drug Take Back” will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakland Police Department.
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