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By Alexis Tarrazi / Senior Reporter

(Nov. 11, 2009, 2:15 p.m.) — Stashed inside almost every single home in the United States are addictive and dangerous substances that are tucked away in drawers and cabinets. Be it prescription or over-the-counter drugs, when pills are forgotten about, the outcome can be dangerous.

The statistics are startling.

More than 70 percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from family and friends. Others abuse their own prescription medicine.

Concerned with the alarming trend in the misuse and abuse of prescription medication, state and local law enforcement officials have set out to halt the flood of misfortune.

Their answer: Operation Medicine Cabinet New Jersey.

Spearheaded by the New Jersey Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Attorney General’s office and Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, the initiative  is a statewide effort to have residents properly dispose of their expired or unused medication. More than 450 police departments throughout New Jersey are participating, including all of the departments in The Leader’s coverage area — North Arlington, Lyndhurst, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Carlstadt and Wood-Ridge.

The local police departments will set up bins at their headquarters Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for any local with unused medication.

“It’s really an anonymous program where you don’t have to give your name and don’t have to tell us what drug it is,” Wood-Ridge Police Chief Joseph Rutigliano said in a phone interview. “Just drop it in the box, no questions asked. You can also remove the label from the bottle.”

The operation may be a new program, but it’s trying to treat a problem that has worked its way into society over many years.

Millions of people in the United States use prescriptions medication for non-medical uses. In fact, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, students abuse prescription drugs more than Ecstasy or cocaine.

One of the reasons for the abuse may be because of the easiness to acquire prescription drugs. Approximately 40 percent of 12th graders say that painkillers are fairly or very easy to get, and more than half say the same of stimulants.

“What is equally disturbing is that 47 percent of New Jersey parents of middle school students said they know a little or just about nothing about prescription drug abuse,” explained Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

Local police officials see these national trends in the South Bergen area as well.

“It is not wise to leave around medication for children or yourself to take inadvertently,” Rutherford Police Detective Lt. Patrick Feliciano said. “The recent trend is for kids to have parties where they are pilfering medicine cabinets of their parents or relatives and taking the drugs without truly knowing the side effects, and the results can be disastrous. And taken with alcohol it can lead to overdose or fatality.”

More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana. In 2006, more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs. Among 12- and 13-year-olds, prescription drugs are the drug of choice, according to Operation Medicine Cabinet.

On Oct. 30, North Arlington Police Lt. John Hearn reported that a 47-year-old Kearny resident was arrested for DWI, following a motor vehicle stop on River Road near the Belleville Turnpike. Police reported the man was swerving into oncoming traffic. During the field sobriety test, the Kearny resident could not stand, police said.

It was later found that the man was allegedly under the influence of Xanax (a pain medication). He was charged and released to a responsible party.

In July, Rutherford police arrested a 30-year-old and 45-year-old for possessing Suboxone, Kalapin and Xanax. The incident apparently took place at the Rutherford Public Library.

Also in July, a Newark woman attempted to secure Oxycotin at a local pharmacy. She allegedly used a fake prescription slip.

East Rutherford Police Detective Capt. Edward Bury said his bureau has made at least 10 prescription drug arrests since January.

“The East Rutherford Police Department is participating in this program because of its importance not only in its ability to save lives but also the fact that it raises awareness of a potential problem that very few people ever give any thought to,” East Rutherford Police Chief Larry Minda stated in an e-mail to The Leader. “The program makes doing a smart thing easy, convenient and safe for all of our residents and visitors.”

Those under the influence of a prescription drug can experience several side effects. Whether it’s breathing difficulty, hostility, paranoia, heart failure, seizures, motor-skill impairment or even death, officials warn that one dose too many can be one dose too much.

If a drug take-back or collection program is not available, Operation Medicine Cabinet urges residents to take prescription drugs out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.

Then put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag. Make sure to conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off. And then place it in the trash.

 For more information on the program, visit www.operationmedicinecabinetnj.com or call 973-467-2100.

Officials with the Food and Drug Administration state that certain medicines can be flushed down the sink or toilet.

Among them are Demerol, Oxycontin and Percocet, among others. Other medications, the FDA recommends disposing in the household trash after mixing with an unpalatable substance.

Log on to www.fda.gov for more information.