Anti-Drug/Alcohol Task Force Hopes to Establish RX Drop Box

A community task force formed to combine efforts to fight drug and alcohol problems in Lacey Township is moving ahead with plans to set up a permanent drop box at the township police station for unwanted or expired prescription drugs.

Lacey Township Municipal Alliance Chairperson Jean Tymczyszyn said the group is looking for approval of the drop box from the state Attorney General's office.

"Last time we had a one-day drop off, we got 150 pounds of pills," said Tymczyszyn, at Monday night's Municipal Alliance meeting. "Logistics, monitoring and disposal are issues."

Municipal Alliance Coordinator Heather Scanlon said a local pharmacy has offered to donate the funds to buy the box.

Having a prescription drug collection is one method law enforcement has used to keep those drugs out of the hands of people who might misuse or abuse them. The Lacey Township Police Department has participated annually in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) take-back day collection.

The 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that prescription drugs that languish in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Two-and-a-half times more people currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined. The study also said that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Purging home medicine cabinets of neglected drugs is one of the DEA’s strategies for reducing prescription drug abuse and diversion, the DEA reported in a press release.

Scanlon said, in addition to the drop-off box, task force member Reverend Linda Applegate of is planning programs in the coming year targeting the medical community, as well as parents and grandparents.

"A common complaint at meetings is where is the medical field," said Scanlon.  "Reverend Linda Applegate is planning programs for doctors, nurse practitioners, parents and grandparents."

Scanlon said the Municipal Alliance and the school district plan to assist with those meetings.

"Everyone on the task force is committed to getting rid of the drug and alcohol problem in town," said Tymczyszyn. "It's nice to have the community leaders on board. It gives us more oomph."

The task force is made up of members of the Alliance, police, school administration, municipal officials, and business, community and religious leaders. The next task force meeting is scheduled for August 29 at the township .