FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2010
Contact Information:
Michelle Vernuccio Media Coordinator
Phone: 973.467.2100, ext. 24
E-mail: michelle@drugfreenj.org

Operation Medicine Cabinet NJ Featured in the Newly Released White House Office of Drug National Control Policy’s 2010 Strategy Report

MILLBURN- The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and Drug Enforcement Administration New Jersey Division, have been featured in the 2010 White House Office of National Drug-Control (ONDCP) Strategy report, released today.

The ONDCP recognized the success of the November 2009 Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey, the first in the nation statewide day of disposal of unused, unwanted and expired medicine. The event, which thousands of New Jersey residents in communities in all 21 counties participated in, was part of a comprehensive public health initiative sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and provide a safe and legal means to dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.

The event netted 9,000 pounds of medicine with a street value of more than $35 million during a four hour window on November 14, 2009. “We are extremely honored that Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey has been recognized as a national model,” declared Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ, "this program raised awareness of the dangers of medicine abuse and challenged residents to see their medicine cabinets as a potential source for young people to access these drugs and clear out their medicine cabinets."

According to Valente, "As a result of the great success this program had in New Jersey of bringing together prevention, law enforcement and corporate stakeholders, the American Medicine Chest Challenge has been launched as a national day of disposal to address the issue of prescription drug abuse. It will be held in communities across the country on November 13, 2010." According to the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, prescription drugs are the second most abused category of drugs in the United States, following marijuana. The New Jersey initiative is featured on page 29 of the report. A full version of the strategy is available on www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

For more information about the American Medicine Chest Challenge please visit www.AmericanMedicineChest.com.

Best known for its statewide anti-drug advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $50 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception the Partnership has garnered over 50 Advertising and Public Relations Awards from National, Regional & Statewide Media Organizations.