State and local officials announced the installation of a secure medicine drop-off receptacle in the Paramus Police Department on Sept. 20, fulfilling a promise this April to put similar units in every county.

KAREN SUDOL/THE RECORD

New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa is joined by Paramus Police Chief Christopher Brock (right) as he speaks about 'Project Medicine Drop.'

Part of a statewide initiative called "Project Medicine Drop," the mailbox-like container is housed inside the entrance to the department. The public is invited to drop off any expired or unwanted medicines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said.

From there, deposited medicine is collected and safely stored by the department, then transported to a facility in Morristown where it is destroyed, Chiesa said. The incineration of the medicine, along with various recyclable materials, is used to generate electricity.

Covanta Energy has disposed of 250 pounds of medication free of charge and will continue doing so, according to Chiesa. The heat from combusting the medicine and recyclables is used to power a turbine, generating electricity that is sold by the organization. Incineration takes place in a controlled chamber designed to prevent air pollution from escaping.

"This disposes of thousands of pounds, and saves us thousands of dollars a year in costs that we would otherwise have to incur to dispose of the medicine ourselves," Chiesa said.

Paramus received one of 20 new units installed last week, bringing the statewide total to 27, with at least one container in each of New Jersey's 21 counties, according to Chiesa. The original seven units have gathered more than 2,000 pounds of unused medication since the project's inception in November 2011.

"This week we are quadrupling the size of Project Medicine Drop by installing 20 new boxes," Chiesa said.

More than 70 percent of people who abuse prescription medicine obtain it from friends and relatives, according to Chiesa. By dropping off unwanted and expired medication at a police station, residents can prevent it from reaching the wrong hands. Prescription drug abuse has been rising in recent years, especially among youth, he said.

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Medicine drop-off box installed at Paramus Police Department