Nearly 1,000 Medicine Disposal Pouches Available
Littleton, New Hampshire, November 23, 2020 – The Littleton Police Department and North Country Serenity Center are providing safe drug disposal pouches to the general public. The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative of New Hampshire (RALI NH) provided the community with nearly a thousand safe drug disposal pouches to help raise awareness of the importance of safe drug disposal practices and work towards preventing substance misuse. As first responders work to help families stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, a critical priority is the safe disposal of unused medications in the home.
“Keeping our loved ones safe during these unique times is our number one priority. Littleton, and the whole North Country, appreciate RALI New Hampshire for helping us address the opioid epidemic. We can all help raise awareness and work to prevent substance misuse as we also support those in recovery, it’s more important than ever,” stated State Senator Erin Hennessey.
RALI NH and partners across the state are joining together to fight the opioid epidemic through efforts in identifying substance misuse and addiction, and in support of successful recovery by promoting safe disposal. The most effective way of preventing substance misuse is to properly dispose of old or unused medications in your own home. Safe disposal pouches are used to deactivate prescription medicines, eliminating access, making them a key resource for reducing the possibility of prescription drug misuse. At a time when many are practicing social distancing, at-home methods of safe disposal are critical. Disposal bags can be picked up at the Littleton Police Department located at 2 Kittridge Lane, or North Country Serenity Center at 45 Union Street, there is also a drug drop-off box located at the police station.
“The impacts of COVID-19 are so far and wide, and the unfortunate reality, substance misuse has remained a significant issue,” said Littleton Police Chief Paul Smith. “The more we can do to serve and protect the people of our community during these difficult times the better off we all will be, and it starts with at-home prevention.”
RALI NH partners have worked throughout the pandemic to continue supporting those facing addiction and working to manage recovery. For those seeking support in their recovery from substance misuse, local organizations like the North Country Serenity Center have their doors open to provide daily, peer recovery services for individuals and their families.
Safe disposal options are always available throughout the state, location details can be found at ralinh.org along with more information about safe disposal and other ways to take action against the opioid epidemic.
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The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of New Hampshire supports programs that help prevent the misuse of prescription medicines so that more lives can be saved from the opioid crisis. We do this by bringing together community leaders and elected officials who are committed to finding effective solutions and sharing ideas that will make a difference across the state.