Assemblyman Tim Eustace on Tuesday praised Hasbrouck Heights for becoming the latest municipality in his legislative district to join the growing list of participants in “Project Medicine Drop,” a statewide program designed to provide a safe way to dispose of prescription drugs to help combat the growing abuse of opiates.
Eustace is the lead sponsor of a bill (A-2859) currently pending on the governor’s desk that would continue and expand the program throughout New Jersey.
“We’ve seen countless stories in recent years about the alarming rise in prescription drug abuse, which is now serving as a gateway to heroin abuse because it produces a similar, but cheaper, high. Many times, an innocent bottle of painkillers prescribed legally to an adult goes largely unused and remains in a medicine cabinet where teens can get their hands on them.
“There are countless stories throughout New Jersey about how this seemingly innocent oversight has led to addictions that have consumed families.
“The Drop Box Program is a proactive approach to help combat this growing abuse. I commend Hasbrouck Heights officials for joining the growing list of municipalities participating in this program. Area residents will now have a safe, secure and convenient way to discard of unwanted prescription drugs,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic).