On September 26, the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a National Prescription Medication Take-Back Day Initiative. In this event, local Police Departments are teaming up with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT) from Essex County in order to establish different collection sites throughout Essex County.

It is intended to cut access to unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Cutting access to these medications will assist in decreasing the misuse and abuse of prescription medication in Essex County.

In addition to this one-day event, ADAPT will team up with the DEA on an awareness campaign in Essex County with the intention of educating residents on methods of monitoring, securing, and properly disposing of their expired or unused prescription medication all through the year.

Prescription medication abuse and misuse is a growing concern and is also an issue in local communities.

According to new research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one (1) out of twenty (20) adolescents and adults that is approximately 12 million people, took prescription pain medication without prescription or they used it just for the feeling it leads to.

Joel Torres, ADAPT's Senior Coordinator, stated, "We are seeing a growing number of young individuals abusing prescription medication throughout the county, State, and nation. Sadly, they start with prescription medication and then turn to heroin as a cheaper alternative". Torres added that a local resident can save a life by monitoring, securing, and appropriately disposing of expired or unused medications.