A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that more than 60 percent of opioid painkillers prescribed to surgical patients are not used, and 64 percent of patients in the study said they didn’t even use half of their prescription.

Opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, killed more than 3,000 New Jersey residents last year. The findings in this study can be used to hopefully provide doctors with valuable information in efforts to reduce the prescribing of opioids and save lives.

Additionally, I wanted to remind you that the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey encourages securing your medicine chest and safely disposing of any unused prescriptions through the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC). The AMCC is a community-based initiative held in partnership with law enforcement to provide collection sites throughout New Jersey.

The AMCC 5-Step challenge includes:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Secure your medicine.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine at an American Medicine Chest Disposal Site.
• Do not share medicine prescribed to you.
• Talk to your children and physician about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. They are listening. For tips visit the Partnership to End Addiction, NIDA, and Stop Medicine Abuse.

To find a collection site near you, please click here.

Be well.