New Jersey Realtors, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey launched a campaign on Tuesday to educate realtors, homeowners and the public, about the importance of securing medicines in their homes and properly disposing of unused drugs that are no longer needed.

The joint “Safe Home, Safe Sale” campaign was kicked off with a press conference at the Trenton headquarters of New Jersey Realtors.

“As Realtors, we are all very involved in our communities. While it was not something that we anticipated, we recognize the importance of this public awareness campaign,” said Christian Schlueter, 2019 NJ Realtors immediate past president, in a statement.

“We encourage every realtor in our state to take a few minutes to inform sellers and their friends about the importance of securing their prescription drugs.”

The campaign includes an educational brochure for realtors to share with their clients, social media promotion leading viewers to a website with resources for realtors and homeowners, and a curriculum for realtors that will be offered as part of their required continuing education.

For disposing of unused medicines that are no longer needed, the campaign will point realtors, home sellers and the public to the American Medicine Chest website. It provides the locations of drop-off sites in New Jersey where people can safely and anonymously dispose of unused and expired medications.

Alex Kelly, chair of the HINJ board of trustees and executive vice president, Corporate Affairs, for Allergan said: “New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical companies are pleased to stand with those on the front lines fighting drug abuse and addiction. When used properly, medicine can cure disease, control symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. But in the wrong hands, medicine can have serious and long-term consequences.”

Dean Paranicas, HINJ president and chief executive officer, said: “HINJ is pleased to join with the New Jersey Realtors, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and PhRMA on this innovative initiative to educate the public on the importance of securing medicine in the household. We look forward to building on this partnership and engaging with other community leaders to stem the diversion and misuse of prescription drugs.”