Safe Disposal Saves Lives!​

National Take Back Day is this Saturday, October 26!

As National Take Back Day approaches, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of safeguarding medicine in their home to prevent access to these highly addictive medicines. This is so important because we know that many teens who misuse opioids get them from the medicine cabinets of their friends and families.

This crisis is devastating our state and nation. Over 3,000 New Jersey families lost a loved one in 2018 alone as a result of this epidemic.

In response to the opioid crisis, in 2009, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey created the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC). This research and community-based public health initiative is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and empower families to safeguard their home through the 5-step American Medicine Chest Challenge. During its first year, this statewide initiative received recognition from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as a best practice and was later designated research-based.

We are proud that National Take Back Day - which collected over 900,000 pounds of unused, unwanted and expired medicine last year - is modeled on what we created here in New Jersey.

This weekend, I encourage each of you to participate in the 5-step AMCC Challenge. Protecting your loved ones is as simple as these 5 steps…

1. Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.

2. Secure your medicine chest.

3. Safely dispose of your unused, unwanted and expired medicine.

4. Do not share the medicine prescribed to you.

5. Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

For more information on National Take Back Day on Saturday, click here, or to dispose of your medicine throughout the year at a permanent collection site near you visit americanmedicinechest.com

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