GC Adds to NJ's 12K Lb. Drug Take Back

PRESS RELEASE
May 3, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bernie Weisenfeld- PIO
Phone: (856) 384-5617; Pager (856) 251-4736
Re.: GC contributes to NJ’s 12K Lb. Drug Take Back

All law enforcement agencies in Gloucester County received expired or unwanted prescription medications in Saturday’s statewide Take Back New Jersey effort to get residents to dispose of medications that can be abused.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division reported that more than 12,000 pounds of pharmaceutical drugs were dropped off at collection centers. “A great day for us here,” said Agent Doug Collier, spokesman for the division. The drugs were transported to the division in Newark for disposal.

In Gloucester County, all municipal police departments, the Rowan University PD and the county Sheriff’s Office staffed collection boxes, including one at the County Store in the Deptford Mall where a sheriff’s officer was present. Medicines were dropped off with no questions asked, in hopes that they would not someday end up in the wrong hands and contribute to overdosing and addiction.

“It was a success,” said Sgt. Danielle Lorusso of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, countywide Take Back coordinator. “Every department collected something.”

“Congratulations to all agencies that have helped remove a potential danger,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton. “I applaud this cooperative effort,” said county Freeholder-Director Robert Damminger, “protecting both their children and the community at large.”