Safe Homes Coalition Launches Program in Greater Boston
Safe Homes Coalition Launches Program in Greater Boston
The Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®, Learn to Cope, and Millennium Health partner to reduce preventable prescription medication deaths
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2015
CONTACT: Kate Norton, knorton@ckstrategies.com, 617-838-6083
BOSTON – At a press conference held at the Massachusetts State House today, the Safe Homes Coalition announced a new program in Greater Boston aimed at reducing overdose deaths associated with the misuse and abuse of prescription medications. The Safe Homes Coalition leads a unique partnership comprised of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS® (a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board), Learn to Cope, and Millennium Health. The Coalition also includes organizations representing: the medical, dental and health care communities; law enforcement and public safety; recovery advocates; youth athletics; and other community partnerships. Elected officials, including Governor Charlie Baker, attended the event.
“We need to prevent prescription medications from getting into the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, especially those most vulnerable – our children. The Safe Homes Coalition educates and empowers people to understand how to safely secure and dispose of unused or unwanted medications,” said Gregory A. Stein, Safe Homes Coalition Executive Director. “The Safe Homes Coalition brings together organizations throughout the Commonwealth to help eradicate this epidemic.”
“Across the Commonwealth, we’ve seen instances of opioid and prescription drug abuse rise to epidemic levels, requiring assistance from a broad range of ideas and stakeholders rather than one-size-fits-all solutions,” said Governor Baker. “The attention and work the medical community, law enforcement, public health officials and officeholders are bringing to the table is an essential step toward addressing this issue, and we must consider creative and practical solutions like that proposed by the Safe Homes Coalition to impact change.”