GOVERNOR SUNUNU HELPS LAUNCH STATEWIDE EFFORT FOCUSED ON SAFE DISPOSAL OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) Will Bring Together Leaders to Address Addiction Across the State
Manchester, New Hampshire, August 23, 2018 – New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced today the launch of a new statewide effort to help combat prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction. The Governor joined representatives of the newly formed Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) New Hampshire, an organization that brings together leaders in the state to find solutions to help end New Hampshire’s opioid crisis. RALI New Hampshire partners include the Zero Left Campaign; New Hampshire Hospital Association; Foundation for Healthy Communities; the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; the Partnership for a Drug Free NH; the New Hampshire State Grange and CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America). RALI New Hampshire will initially focus on providing a range of options for the safe disposal of unused prescription drugs.
“New Hampshire is on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and we need to do all that we can to end this crisis,” said Governor Sununu. “The safe and proper disposal of prescription drugs is a critical element of fighting opioid addiction and I am pleased to support the RALI New Hampshire partnership’s comprehensive program. The Zero Left Campaign has been effective in teaching people about the need for, and how to, safely dispose of prescription drugs. I am thrilled that RALI New Hampshire and its partners are expanding this program to include the entire state, particularly focused on educating Granite Staters about the different ways to safely dispose of medications. This community-based effort demonstrates the best of New Hampshire and it will help save lives.”
In 2017 alone, 483 New Hampshire citizens lost their lives to a drug-related overdose, primarily opioids, according to the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office. Since 2013, deaths from illicit opioids like fentanyl have increased nearly tenfold.
RALI New Hampshire will promote the Zero Left Campaign’s safe Rx disposal educational materials and instructions, in addition to helping with the partner-led effort to distribute 50,000 safe disposal pouches. RALI New Hampshire will highlight a number of common ways to safely dispose of medications, including the use of take-back locations and FDA-recommended methods. The resources will be made available statewide through a diverse and wide array of outlets including hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, first responders, county fairs, libraries, and business and civic organizations.
RALI New Hampshire’s website, www.ralinh.org will serve as the hub of information about the organization’s efforts. The alliance aims to bring together leaders to highlight programs that save lives, mobilize stakeholders, partner with policymakers and share ideas to effectively address the crisis.
“The Zero Left Campaign has resulted in the safe disposal of thousands of extra prescription medications that could potentially be abused, as was the case with our son, Adam,” said Jeanne Moser. “The RALI partnership will result in the safe disposal of tens of thousands of additional medications, saving lives.”
Jim and Jeanne Moser started the Zero Left Campaign to educate people about the need to dispose of extra medications after the death of their son from a fentanyl overdose in 2015. “Education is the first step in helping to prevent addiction,” added Jim Moser.
About RALI New Hampshire
RALI New Hampshire is a partnership of more than a dozen local, state, and national organizations committed to finding solutions to end the opioid crisis in New Hampshire. Members of the coalition include:
Addiction Policy Forum
Capitol Area Public Health Network
CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America)
Chucky’s Fight
Dismas Home of New Hampshire
Foundation for Healthy Communities
Hope on Haven Hill
Granite Pathways Safe Harbor Recovery Center
New Hampshire Hospital Association
New Hampshire State Grange
North Country Serenity Center
The Partnership for a Drug Free NH
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Zero Left Campaign