Operation Medicine Cabinet

(We just received information about this on Thursday -- I am passing it along here for the readers of the blog. Woodbury's site is listed as the Police Station on Broad Street.)


SUBJECT: Operation Medicine Cabinet-Saturday, November 14th

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing with information about an important project we are undertaking in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, and many other law enforcement and community organizations across the state. This project is called "Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey," and its objective is to raise awareness regarding the potential dangers of prescription drugs and the unintended availability of such dangerous drugs to teenagers in our own homes.

Every day, 2,500 youth age 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the very first time. More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana. In 2006, more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs. Among 12- and 13-year-olds, prescription drugs are the drug of choice. Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, teens who wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs are more likely to abuse prescription drugs.

Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10 am until 2 pm, in more than 420 municipalities.

Through this initiative, all New Jersey residents will have the opportunity to properly dispose of their unused, unwanted, and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines in an anonymous manner. For more information including details of where citizens can drop medicines off in their communities, simply visit our website at http://www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com/ and click on the map of New Jersey.

Needless to say, this is a critical prevention effort which can save lives and help in steering young people away from the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

We are proud that we are taking action to address this troubling trend and that this is the first statewide initiative of its kind in the nation. However, we need to ensure widespread participation, so I am encouraging you to share this information broadly within your community.

Thank you so much for your assistance. If you have questions or would like more information, please visit http://www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com/.


Anne Milgram
Attorney General