Prescription Drug Pickup in New Jersey
One of the issues that Dave Bachmann, unsuccessful 2008 Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner, proposed in his October 31, 2007, candidacy announcement was initiation of a prescription drug collection from those who died at home under hospice care.
I’m pretty sure that incumbent Republican Marlene Lantz included it in her platform, but haven’t heard anything about it since the election.
Now I read in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration press release that the idea has taken hold in New Jersey. The first two paragraphs of the release follow:
Thousands of New Jersey Residents Prescribe to Operation Medicine Cabinet
Over 9,000 Pounds of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medicine Collected During First in the Nation Day of DisposalNOV 18 — (Newark) – Gerard P. McAleer, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division and Angelo M. Valente, the Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), announced today that over 9,000 pounds of medicine, with a street value of over $35 million, was collected during Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey, the first in the nation statewide day of disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.
This statewide effort is being spearheaded by the DEA New Jersey Division, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the PDFNJ, with partnership and support by many other local and statewide prevention and enforcement organizations.
Photo displays meds turned in under the OMC program on 11-14-2009. L to R: Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey- announcing the Operation Medicine Cabinet, Angelo Valente, Executive Director, Partnership for Drug Free New Jersey, and Mary Pat Angelini, Assemblywomen, 11 District, New Jersey Assembly
Over 440 local police departments and sheriff departments, in all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, hosted collection sites, where New Jersey residents came out in force to support Operation Medicine Cabinet and rid their homes of unused, unwanted, and expired medicines on November 14th, clearing their homes of over 9,000 pounds of prescription and over-the- counter medicine.
Perhaps this good example will be followed in Illinois. Lots of publicity potential for anyone who pulls it off.



A while ago, McHenry County Blog 
Alas, former Democratic candidate for McHenry County Coroner David Bachmann’s frequent updates have not inspired the anonymous author of “The Diametrical Woodstock Advocate,” to continue posting.
















