By VASHTI HARRIS
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK–Walgreens brought its national campaign to combat drug abuse closer to home just before the New Year.
Gov. Chris Christie joined Walgreens officials to announce the new safe medication disposal kiosk program at the Walgreens at 421 Ryders Lane in East Brunswick on Dec. 22.
The kiosks provide a safe and convenient way year-round to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances and over-the-counter medications, at no cost, according to a statement provide by Walgreens.
The program is responsible for the installment of 16 drug take-back kiosks throughout New Jersey as part of a Walgreens effort announced earlier this year to install safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 500 of its drugstores around the country, according to the statement.
“By making safe medication disposal kiosks available in select New Jersey stores, as we have done in other states this year, Walgreens is taking an important first step to reduce the misuse of medications throughout the country and curb the rise in overdose deaths,” Kim Treece, Walgreens regional vice president in New Jersey, said in the statement. “Everyone has a role to play in minimizing prescription drug abuse, and we are committed to being part of a comprehensive solution to reverse this epidemic.”
Walgreens Regional Healthcare Supervisor Dominic DiPrimo and Walgreens Area Healthcare Supervisor John Colaizzi were joined by Christie in making the landmark announcement.
“We have more than 500 kiosks installed throughout the country, so when choosing where to install them we pick our locations for them at very strategic locations while also thinking about the convenience of the residents.” Walgreens Media Relations Representative Phil Caruso said.
“Many times, the disease of addiction begins at home in a person’s medicine cabinet. In New Jersey I have made it a priority to target this source by implementing, expanding and promoting programs such as Project Medicine Drop and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program,” Christie said in the statement. “Misuse of prescription drugs is a major pathway to addiction, and this safe disposal program will go a long way to eliminating adults’ and children’s accessibility to these dangerous unused drugs.”
Safe medication disposal kiosks are currently available in more than 500 Walgreens pharmacies across 43 states and Washington D.C. The kiosks are available during regular pharmacy hours.
To find a Safe Medication Disposal Kiosk, call your local Walgreens.
For more information about Walgreens efforts to combat drug abuse, visit walgreens.com/CombatDrugAbuse.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].