The Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset County is urging residents to take the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) on Saturday, Nov. 9.

A recent national study indicated that 70% of the people who reported using prescription (Rx) drugs for non-medical use within the past year obtained them from a home medicine cabinet, friend or relative.

In recent youth focus groups in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, nearly half (46%) of participants reported that the easiest place to access prescription drugs is from their medicine cabinet at home. Research has also indicated that the majority of young adults who are heroin users started their substance abuse with prescription drugs, specifically opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin and Percocet.

Residents are urged to take this opportunity to safely dispose of accumulated expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs and medications, and educate their families at the same time. The service is free, anonymous and part of the positive national trend to get drugs off the street.

The Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset County and its fiscal agent, Hunterdon Prevention Resources, are encouraging residents to properly dispose of their expired or unused medications by bringing them to one of the designated sites. 
These sites include the Hunterdon County Justice Center, 65 Park Avenue, Flemington; Holland Township Police Dept.,349 North Main Street, Lambertville; Somerset County Sheriff's Office, 410 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough; Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville and Bernards Township Police Department, 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge. New locations are added on a regularly basis.

For more information or other disposal sites, visit americanmedicinechest.com.