Page 42 - August 2016 Life In Naples Magazine

A TIME FOR
CAOCMTMIOUNNITY
D rug Free Collier and its partners
recently hosted a community forum
to address the growing heroin and
opiate epidemic that is making

headlines. With hundreds of local residents in PHOTO OF PANELISTS FROM THE NAPLES COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, COLLIER COUNTY
attendance, it’s clear that Collier County is seeing SHERIFF’S OFFICE, AND COLLIER COUNTY EMS

the impact of this national epidemic. epidemic of addiction through increased awareness, said Rey Pezeshkan, President of

“The number one cause of death nationwide Drug Free Collier’s Board of Directors. “The community is on the front lines of this

is no longer car crashes, it’s overdoses,” said epidemic and we’re here to help find solutions,” he said.

Dr. Andrew Kolodny, featured speaker and “Communities have been hard hit,” said Marty Harding, Moderator with the

Chief Medical Officer with Phoenix House Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. The forum also included a panel discussion with

Foundation and Co-Founder of Physicians representatives from the Collier County Sheriff ’s Office,Naples Community Healthcare

for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. As one of System’s Emergency Department and Collier County Emergency Medical Services.

the nation’s leading experts on the prescription Each participant received a free copy of Hazelden’s “Heroin & Prescription

opioid and heroin crisis, Kolodny addressed a Painkillers: A Toolkit for Community Action.” Solutions offered include support

group of more than 70 local physicians and 115 for families who have lost someone, medication assisted therapies, making Nalaxone

community members during his June visit to – an antidote for opiate overdoses – available and supporting coalitions like Drug

Naples. Kolodny talked about the scope of the Free Collier.

crisis, its historical context, contributing factors All participants left with a packet of information which included local resources for

and also provided a framework for developing treatment and locations for family support.

interventions to address the epidemic within Drug Free Collier also continues to work to reduce access to prescription and over-the-

our communities. counter medications. Through Operation Medicine Cabinet®, we are working to keep

“We are in the midst of the worst drug harmful drugs from falling into the wrong hands by providing a responsible alternative

epidemic in the history of the United States,” he for the disposal of household medication. Residents can dispose of medications year-

said. Overprescribing pain medications is at the round at one of 11 sites located throughout Collier County. For directions to the nearest

root of the problem. As prescriptions and sales drop box, visit www.DrugFreeCollier.org

of opioids increase, so do deaths, Kolodny said. Attendees also received pouches of Deterra,our newest weapon in our fight to reduce

Nationally, overdose deaths reached 47,055 in access to potentially harmful drugs. Each pouch can be used at home to neutralize

2014. Locally, there were 45 opioid and heroin- medications by simply adding water; the package can then be thrown into the trash,

related deaths reported without causing harm to the environment. For information on Deterra or other local

by the Collier County drug prevention initiatives contact Carly Gibb at 239.302.6717.

Medical Examiner’s This community event was made possible through the generous support from: Advance

Office from January to Medical; Central Florida Behavioral Health Network; David Lawrence Center; Florida

June of 2015. Department of Children and Families; Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation; Kaléo; Park

As a coalition of Royal Behavioral Health Services; and The Willough at Naples. Continuing Education

concerned citizens, Units at the public event were provided by Hazelden Publishing. Continuing Medical

Drug Free Collier is Education units for physicians were provided by NCH Healthcare System.

working hard to change About us - Drug Free Collier was established in 2005 as a coalition of parents, youth,

the landscape for our teachers,religious and fraternal organizations,health care and business professionals,law

youth and prevent the enforcement and media. Its mission is to unite the community to protect the children

REY PEZESHKAN, FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF PK STUDIOS; of Collier County from substance abuse. For more information, visit our website: www.
PRESIDENT OF DRUG FREE COLLIER
DrugFreeCollier.org

42 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2016