Page 96 - December_2015_Life_in_Naples_Magazine

PREVENTION IS IN THE BAG

THE NEXT STEP IN OUR FIGHT

AGAINST MEDICINE ABUSE

D rug Free Collier has launched a new campaign Back Row L to R: Sgt. Jeff Boyd, Collier County Sheriff ’s Office;Tracy Colleran, Straighten Up, Inc.; Cpl. Luke
designed to help local residents safely dispose of Arnold, Collier County Sheriff ’s Office; Robert Busch, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America; Front
unwanted medicine using a system that effectively row: Captain Anthony Maro and Deputy Chief Noemi Fraguela; Collier County EMS; Melanie Black, Drug
neutralizes drugs at home. Collier County is one Free Collier; Chris Byrne, Marco Island Fire Rescue; and Captain Charles Bacon, North Collier Fire District.
of three locations in Florida selected by Community Anti-
Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) to participate in off their checklist is extremely helpful.” When it comes to unwanted
the national pilot project. As part of the program, Drug medication, Colleran said people know that they shouldn’t flush it, but
Free Collier will distribute 10,000 pouches of DeterraTM, instead often allow it to accumulate because they don’t know what to
a carbon-based drug deactivation system, with the help of do with it. Colleran has partnered with Drug Free Collier because this
key stakeholders in our community. project provides her with a safe solution through on-site disposal.

“We are proud to participate in this important pilot Other partners include the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office; Collier
project,” said Melanie Black, Executive Director of Drug County EMS; North Collier Fire Control and Rescue; Marco Island Fire
Free Collier.“For years, we have been at the forefront of vital Rescue; and Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Management.
campaigns to keep our kids safe and our environment clean Local distribution of the DeterraTM packets will focus on the elderly,
through Operation Medicine Cabinet.” There are now 11 overdose patients and other high-risk residents with unsecured medication.
permanent drop boxes in Collier County where residents
can safely dispose of unwanted medicine throughout the “Anything that makes our community safer is important to Collier
year. “We’ve come a long way, thanks to the efforts of so County EMS,” said Noemi Fraguela, Deputy Chief of Training. As part
many dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to raise of the project, EMS has stocked each ambulance with the drug disposal
awareness about the importance of safe medicine use, pouches and will hand them out on calls where they see patients with lots
storage and disposal,” she added. of medication and duplicates. North Collier Fire Control and Rescue is
also using the packets as part of its prevention efforts by demonstrating
“As we learn more about the risks of unsecured their use at local senior living facilities.
medication and the impact of pharmaceuticals on our
water supply, it’s easy to see why more people are resisting “This initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue,”
the temptation to flush their medicine down the toilet said Black, “You can be part of the solution, by locking up your own
or simply throw it out with the trash,” Black said, adding medication and safely disposing of any unwanted drugs,” she added.
that local residents have disposed of more than one ton of
household medication since the program’s inception. Contact Drug Free Collier at 239.377.0535 or info@drugfreecollier.
org to learn more about this project.
For residents who are unable to get to our permanent
drop boxes, the DeterraTM system is a perfect alternative.
Each biodegradable pouch can safely and quickly dispose of
up to 90 pills, 12 ounces of liquid or 12 patches. Each package
includes step-by-step instructions on how to use warm tap
water to neutralize the chemicals found in prescription drugs.
The entire process takes about 30 seconds. The pouch can
then be conveniently discarded with any household trash.

For Tracy Colleran, a professional organizer who works
with clients to minimize clutter, this program is especially
appealing. “I work with people going through life changes,”
said Colleran, owner of Straighten Up, Inc. “They have so
much on their plate,” she said. “For me to take one thing

96 Life in Naples | December 2015