Prescription Drug Take Back Set for Saturday

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state, including Manchester, will collect unneeded prescription medications on Saturday, Sept. 29, during Operation Take Back New Jersey. 

"Properly disposing of prescription medication ensures that it does not get into the wrong hands and that it will be disposed of in an environmentally safe way," said Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski in a statement.

Last year during a Take Back drive, Manchester residents turned in 713 pounds of prescription medications, the most of any municipality in New Jersey, police said.

"It’s so nice to see the Manchester communities support and participation in these types of events," the chief said. "We have had tremendous cooperation from the residences in the past and we are hoping for the same this year."

In addition to the police station on Colonial Drive, those wanting to participate can bring unwanted medications to the following locations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.:

• , 21 Colonial Dr.
• Ocean County Library, Whiting Reading Center, 400 Lacey Rd.
• Manchester Plaza, 1001 Route 70
• Whiting Shopping Center, 108 Lacey Rd.

Lakehurst police will not participate in this weekend's effort, but borough residents can take their medications to any of Manchester's sites, Chief of Police Eric Higgins said. 

The collected drugs are turned over to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, which in turn sends them to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

The goal of the program is to allow the citizens of New Jersey to deliver all of their unused, unwanted, or expired medications to law enforcement officials who can in turn dispose of these controlled substances in a safe and non-hazardous manner, preventing these pills from falling into the hands of juveniles or into the illicit market in our communities, according to Operation Take Back New Jersey's website.