Walgreens launches safe medication disposal kiosk program in New Jersey
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is launching its safe medication disposal kiosk program in New Jersey with the installation of drug take-back kiosks at 16 Walgreens drugstores.
The launch is part of Walgreens effort, announced earlier this year, to install safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 500 of its drugstores around the country. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visited an East Brunswick store to kick off the drug take-back program in New Jersey.
“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,” said Christie. “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.”
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.
“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,” said Kim Treece, Walgreens regional vice president in New Jersey. “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.”
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 (24 hours a day at most kiosk locations) and offer one of the best ways to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else.