PHOTO: Volunteers from the DART Coalition yesterday held a prescription drug drop-off event one of several such events held throughout the year.The event was held at the entrance to the Blue Claws stadium.

“Prescription drug misuse by youth has reached epidemic proportions,” stated Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator Daniel E. Regenye. He continued, “Studies have shown that youth have accessed prescription drugs from their own homes or of other family members or friends. In addition, disposing of drugs, such as flushing into the water system, can cause detrimental effects of the environment.”

The Ocean County Health Department and the DART Coalition of the Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention, encourage residents to safely discard their unused, unwanted or expired medications by bringing them to one of the drug drop-off collection sites within Ocean County located at the Toms River, Lacey Township and Seaside Police Departments.

Robert Goldschlag, Director of the DART Coalition added, “Prescription drug drop off boxes give people the opportunity to do just that – drop them off, safely. We have three permanent drug drop-off boxes in Ocean County which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Among those volunteering at the event, was Lakewood Police Captain Gregory Meyer, a DART member.

The three permanent prescription drop-off collection sites, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in Ocean County, are located at:

Toms River Police Department, 255 Oak Avenue
Seaside Heights Police Department, 165 Sherman Avenue
Lacey Township Police Department, 808 West Lacey Road. [TLS]