New Medication Safe Disposal Box unveiled at City Center Drugs

JANS – The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the Central Mississippi Area, Inc. (NCADD) recently led a purple ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new Medication Safe Disposal Box at City Center Drugs in the Eastover District. This initiative, made possible through a State Opioid Response Grant under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, provides a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications. Just as importantly, it serves as a tool in preventing opioid related overdoses in the community. 

According to a 2022 study by the Drug Policy Alliance, Black people have experienced fatal drug overdoses at higher rates than white people since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As advocates work to reverse this trend, community members play a vital role by staying informed and prepared. Education and awareness are key to saving lives. 

If you believe someone may be overdosing, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends these lifesaving steps: 

1. Call 911 immediately. 

2. Administer naloxone, if available. 

3. Keep the person awake and breathing. 

4. Lay them on their side to prevent choking. 

5. Stay with them until help arrives. 

As International Overdose Awareness Day approaches on August 31, let us remember, without stigma, those we have lost and stand in support of the families and friends who grieve. Together, through compassion and action, we can save lives. 

Free naloxone kits are available at ODFree.org.