Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Timothy Eustace, Daniel Benson, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Joseph Lagana and Marlene Caride to provide a safe way for New Jersey residents to dispose of prescription drugs was released recently by an Assembly panel.
“Disposing of unused prescription drugs properly is equally as important as taking them as prescribed,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Prescription drug abuse is prevalent in many communities, and much of that abuse begins at home where the drugs are easily accessible.”
The bill (A-2859) requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to supply and install a secure prescription medicine drop-off receptacle where the public many dispose of unused prescription medications in every state police barracks and county sheriff’s department and every county police department and full-time municipal police department which agrees to participate. The receptacles are to be available to the public seven days a week. Police departments that choose not to have receptacles on site would be required to post notification advising the public of where the closest receptacle is located.
In June of 2011, following a public hearing outlining the changing dynamics of the criminal drug trade, the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) found that a growing number of young people are abusing prescription drugs, and noted that the practice has led to increases not only in the number of young people addicted to painkillers, but also in the number of young people using heroin. The report issued by the SCI in July 2013, “Scenes from an Epidemic,” confirms this finding and notes that addiction often begins with leftover prescription medicines in the home.
The sponsors proposed the legislation to encourage residents to throw away unused prescriptions in a safe manner and help prevent youth access and potential abuse.
“The number of young people experimenting with and becoming addicted to prescription drugs is rapidly rising,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Unfortunately, there are a number of ways to access these types of drugs, but studies show that in many cases access begins at home with unsecured prescriptions.”
The division has developed a program called “Project Medicine Drop” in an effort to combat the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.
“Drop-off receptacles will provide a safe place to throw away prescription drugs and keep them out of the hands of any people trying to sell the drugs or take them without a prescription,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “This legislation will be a crucial element in our statewide battle against addiction.”
“Prescription drug abuse kills more people each day than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined in America,” said Lagana (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Unfortunately, addiction to these drugs can have its origin not on the street corner, but in the medicine cabinet. By giving clear directions on how to properly dispose of these drugs, we can help stop problems before they begin.”
“Whether they go into the trash and unauthorized individuals abuse them or they are flushed down the toilet and into our waterways, unused prescription drugs are poisons that threaten the wellness of our communities,” said Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic). “These receptacles will require minimal cost and effort from law enforcement, but they will go a long way toward curbing addiction in New Jersey.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, 40 Americans die every day from an overdose caused by prescription painkiller abuse.
“Project Medicine Drop” has expanded so there is presently at least one drop-off location in every county. This bill will expand the program even further to ensure that New Jersey residents are able to access secure drop-boxes within their communities easily and safely dispose of their unused and potentially dangerous medications.
The measure was released by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.