Take a role in preventing prescription drug abuse in Ocean County, and have a fun night at a ballgame while you're at it.

loading...

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, county Health Department and the DART Coalition are teaming with the Lakewood Blueclaws for two prescription drug dropoffs at First Energy Park. The first is this Thursday, August 14, and the second is on August 26.

County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato reported that during the July 2013 dropoff, about 100 people brought roughly 88 pounds of unused medications in just over an hour.

According to information from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans abuse prescription meds than than abuse cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined. Most prescription drugs taken indiscriminately reportedly originate with family members or friends.

Medications poured into sinks or discarded into sewage systems stand a good chance of infiltrating and tainting drinking water supplies.

Volunteers at reception tables at each ballpark entrance will accept medications for disposal from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM. DART Coalition and Health Department staffers inside the park will have substance abuse prevention information available for distribution.

More From 92.7 WOBM