FORKED RIVER – The Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) is hosting a free event on August 29 at Lacey Township High School, 73 Haines Street, from 12 to 4 p.m. to distribute potassium iodine (KI) tablets, provide health screenings and offer wellness resources to local residents.
KI tablets are for residents who live or work within a 10 mile radius of the Oyster Creek Power Plant. Residents that live and work in the following towns can pick up pills or exchange expired pills: Barnegat Light, Barnegat Township, Beachwood, Beach Haven, Berkeley Township, Toms River, Harvey Cedars, Island Heights, Lacey Township, Long Beach Township, Pine Beach, Ocean Township (Waretown), Ocean Gate, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford and Surf City.
“Our last free KI clinic was such a huge success with more than 820 people coming out and close to 6,000 tablets distributed,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little in a statement. “Because of the significant turnout, we decided it would be a great opportunity to expand the event by including several other health and educational programs in an effort to promote the many services the Ocean County Health Department provides for its residents.”
Free health screenings include blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. Health department employees will be on site to provide free stroke risk assessments and medication management advice. Experts in the area of alcohol and drug prevention, intoxicated driver resources, environmental health, emergency preparedness and communicable diseases will also be answering questions, offering tips and providing take-home literature for families. A prescription drop-off box will be available for residents to discard unwanted or expired prescription medication.
“We want everyone to take advantage of this event, not just the people in need of KI tablets. This is just part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our community healthy and safe and this event is the perfect one-stop opportunity for us to showcase the many vital services and resources we provide,” said Daniel E. Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator in a statement.
Local residents are reminded that the distribution of KI pills is merely a measure of emergency preparedness, not a response to any pending danger. The KI clinic is just one of many types of health clinics that the OCHD holds throughout the year.
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