Second Operation Take Back of 2021 Yields 408 Pounds

Published on October 27, 2021

On October 23, 2021, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office participated in Operation Take Back, in partnership with four local police departments. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Hanover Township Chief of Police Michael Loock, Morris Plains Borough Chief of Police Mike Koroski, Morris Township Chief of Police Mark DiCarlo, and Randolph Township Chief of Police Will Harzula all aided in the coordination of the event.

Operation Take Back is a semi-annual event coordinated nationally by the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in which law enforcement agencies at the state, county, and municipal level work collectively to host Operation Take Back across the nation. The goal is to encourage the public to anonymously turn over unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medicine for proper disposal. 

Residents of Morris County were able to bring unused or expired prescription drugs to three designated locations - Shoprite of Greater Morristown in Hanover Township, the ACME Supermarket in Randolph, and the Stop and Shop Supermarket in Morris Plains. All drugs collected at the sites were weighed and properly destroyed under controlled and supervised conditions by law enforcement officials.

The total weight in drugs collected from each location are as follows:

  • Shoprite of Greater Morristown: 185 pounds
  • Stop and Shop of Morris Plains: 25 pounds
  • ACME of Randolph: 198 pounds

Total: 408 pounds

In April 2021, the Operation Take Back collection held October in Morris County locations yielded a combined 631 pounds.

If you were unable drop off your medication during Operation Take Back, you can still utilize any other permanent drop box locations nearest you, which are listed at http://safehealthymorris.org/dropbox

Prosecutor Carroll and Sheriff Gannon jointly stated, “These bi-annual collections prove to be a much-needed community service. Participants are taking an active role in combatting prescription drug misuse and abuse. Thanks to our law enforcement and commercial partners for making this such a productive collection.”

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at [email protected] or by phone at 973-829-8159.  

Operation Take Back Fall 2021 Masks.jpg

Front left to right: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Mary Falzarano, Deputy Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Morris Plains Mayor Jason Karr, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, MCPO Sgt. Patrick LaGuerre, Morris Plains Officers Brett Cerrato, Sgt. Jeffrey Hochman, Lt. Ryan McKay. 

OTB Fall Shoprite 2021.jpg

Front left to right: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kerri Griffin, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Raquelin Perera, and Hanover Township Officer Steve Manney.