Norwich Police Department will be hosting DEA Drug Take Back Day and Narcan Training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22. Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties (FORDO) will be providing Narcan Training. (Photo from www.dea.gov/takebackday)

NORWICH — The Norwich Police Department is hosting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day and Narcan Training. The event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 located in the back of the Norwich Police Department at 18 E Main Street in Norwich.

Norwich Deputy Chief of Police Scott Burlison said, “Drug Take Back started in 2010 by the DEA. They sponsor two a year, one in the spring and one in the fall to collect dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. This allows an opportunity for our citizens to dispose of their drugs the correct way and also keeps them from being stolen or misused by other people.”

“We will collect any drugs to include pet meds, except liquids, and will have a sharps container on site to collect needles. All narcotics will be transported to Covanta Resource Recovery Facility in Jamesville for immediate destruction on Saturday afternoon,” Burlison added.

Chenango Health Network Drug Free Communities Coordinator Haley Palmer said they are participating in this year's DEA National Drug Take Back Day and will be collecting expired medications and syringes. They will also be available to provide any information on their services they offer.

“The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to American’s safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting,” Palmer said.

Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties (FORDO) Program Specialist and Naloxone Distributor Romas Bajoras said, “We will be on site to provide Naloxone (Narcan) training and it just takes a few minutes to learn how to administer the medication.”

Romas Bajoras is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and Narcan Trainer and will be joined by Certified Narcan Trainer Noelle Otto.

“Everyone should have Naloxone in their home as overdoses can occur accidentally even with properly prescribed medication,” said Bajoras.

Police officers, emergency medical technicians, first responders, friends and family members can be trained on how to give Naloxone. Anyone who is certified and trained in Naloxone (Narcan) can administer the medication.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov) discloses nearly 50,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2019. One study found that bystanders were present in more than one in three overdoses involving opioids. With the right tools, bystanders help to prevent overdose deaths. Anyone can carry naloxone, administer it to someone experiencing an overdose, and potentially save a life.”

Data from the DEA website dated April 2022 for the state of New York discloses that 119 law enforcement agencies participated at 155 collection sites, and 15,924 tons of discarded prescription drugs and syringes were collected.

DEA is committed to making communities safer and healthier by reducing the chance of overdoses and overdose deaths. With local support in every community nationwide, the potential harm and reduction of drug related crimes can greatly be reduced.

For further information, call Chenango Health Network Coordinator Haley Palmer at 607-337-4320 or email haley@chenangohealth.org

For more information on Naloxone (Narcan) or to schedule other group Overdose Prevention and Narcan training email romas@friendsofrecoverydo.org

More information on the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Days can be found at dea.gov/takebackday.