Where To Dump Leftover Drugs In The Caldwells So Kids Can't Get Them

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Parents may not realize that a drug habit can start when youths access pills in your closet or medicine cabinet. This Saturday, each town is promoting their local collection site, where you can dispose of your unwanted drugs, and they'll be handled in an environmentally friendly way.

There will be one new temporary site added in the Caldwells Saturday, just for four hours.

4,000 pounds of pills were collected at sites in Essex County last year, said Jacques Hryshko, executive director of Family Connections, which runs the ADAPT program.

On the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s Annual Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday, April 22, collection sites will be set up at municipal police departments throughout Essex County. Bringing medication to the collection locations is free and anonymous.

Temporary And Permanent Sites

Besides the year-round collection sites below, there will be two temporary collection sites Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

• Essex Fells Police Department, 255 Roseland Ave (Rear of Building), Essex Fells
• West Caldwell Police Department, 21 Clinton Road, West Caldwell

The permanent collection locations, which are open year-round, are as follows:

• · Essex County Sheriff’s Office, 525 West Market Street, Newark
• Belleville Police Department, 152 Washington Avenue, Belleville
• Bloomfield Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, Bloomfield
• Caldwell Police Department, 1 Provost Square, Caldwell
• East Orange Police Department, 15 South Munn Avenue, East Orange
• Fairfield Police Department, 230 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
• Glen Ridge Police Department, 3 Herman Street, Glen Ridge
• Irvington Police Department, 1 Civic Square, Irvington
• Livingston Police Department, 333 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
• Maplewood Police Department, 1618 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
• Millburn Police Department, 435 Essex Street, Millburn
• Montclair Police, Department, 647 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
• Montclair State University Police Department, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair
• Newark Police Department, 22 Franklin Street, Newark
• North Caldwell Police Department, 136 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell
• Nutley Police Department, 228 Chestnut Street, Nutley
• Orange Police Department, 29 Park Street, Orange
• South Orange Police Department, 201 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
• Verona Police Department, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
• West Orange Police Department, 60 Main Street, West Orange

Residents should remove any identifying information from the medication containers.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said, "Some of the most dangerous substances in your home are the unused prescription and over-the-counter medication in your bathroom closet. Youth may sneak pills and use them out of curiosity, but there is a real danger that this
could lead to more severe drug abuse."

For additional information, call 973-323-3907.

ADAPT was created by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in 2011, and is comprised of youth, parents, educators, law enforcement officials, substance abuse professionals, faith-based and government representatives, and other concerned citizens. It is managed by FAMILYConnections, a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based counseling and family service agency with over 35 specialized programs for all ages from infants to seniors. Visit www.essexadapt.org for more information.