Greater Boston/Massachusetts
Keep Kids Safe Program
4 Things You May Not Know About the Safe Drug Disposal Movement
Kenan Thomas is a high school student and dedicated Girl Scout. She is also a huge proponent of safe drug disposal.
The Commonwealth is coming together to address prescription drug misuse and abuse.
The Safe Homes Coalition is proud to join with the Greater Boston Association of Realtors®, a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board as our Community Partner, Learn to Cope as our Education Partner, and Millennium Health as our Founding Partner to bring together an incredibly powerful coalition of stakeholders toward the singular mission of reducing overdose death associated with the misuse and abuse of prescription medications in Greater Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
With one of the highest rates of narcotic abuse and a significant portion of drug overdoses related to prescription drugs, Massachusetts has a particular need for a multi-faceted approach to this complex crisis. This is why public safety and elected officials, the medical and dental community, recovery advocates, athletes, and so many others are coming together in this Keep Kids Safe Program to encourage you to make your house a safe home through safe use, safe storage, and safe disposal of prescription medications.
Be a part of the solution. Support the Safe Homes Coalition Keep Kids Safe Program by asking a coalition member for a re-sealable plastic bag in which to place your medications, and see below to find a list of drop-box locations to take those medications once they are no longer needed.
The Safe Homes Coalition Keep Kids Safe Program launched in Greater Boston/Massachusetts on September 30, 2015. This full length PSA provides information useful to individuals with prescription medications in their home – to keep them safe and secure, and to dispose of them properly when no longer needed.
In Their Own Words
These leaders speak on the complex issue of addiction, medication misuse and abuse, and why you and the Safe Homes Coalition are an important partner for change.
A Special Thanks to Our Keep Kids Safe Program Partners
News
Leominster Champion Recognizes MA Senator Flanagan Support for Safe Homes Coalition
Flanagan shows support for Safe Homes Coalition
State Sen. Jennifer L. Flanagan (D-Leominster) has joined a large group of individuals and organizations endorsing the Safe Homes Coalition, and welcoming a new partner in the fight against prescription drug abuse and addiction: Area realtors.
She joined Gov. Charlie Baker for the program’s initial launch in September, and the Safe Homes Coalition recently launched a video of Flanagan’s endorsement, available on its website, www.makeitasafehome.org/boston.
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, Millennium Health and local government and law enforcement leaders. The coalition also includes organizations representing the medical, dental and health care communities, recovery advocates, youth athletics and other community partnerships.
“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 Safe Homes Coalition Executive Director Gregory A. Stein. “Sen. Flanagan has dedicated her career to helping families struggling with mental illness, addiction, and similar challenges, and she is a welcome partner and strong advocate to have sharing our mission.”
“I am thrilled to have the Safe Home Coalitions on board partnering with communities to take the steps that will ensure safety for families and realtors,” Flanagan said. “We initially launched this coalition in September, to align with Recovery Month, and this is the perfect time of year to educate people on how to safely store and dispose their prescriptions in order to avoid theft and misuse. It makes sense, and is another great way to prevent illegal drug sales and abuse.”
Safe Homes Coalition Making a Difference in Middlesex County
Published on Nov 16, 2015
Safe Homes making a big announcement partnering with local realtors to try and get unused prescription drugs out of the home.
Safe Homes Coalition Launches Program in Middlesex County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2015
CONTACT: Kate Norton, knorton@ckstrategies.com, 617-838-6083
Safe Homes Coalition Launches Program in Middlesex County
The Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®, Millennium Health, Learn to Cope, Middlesex County Police Chiefs, Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan partner to reduce prescription medication deaths
FRAMINGHAM – Today, a number of Middlesex County police chiefs and law enforcement officials joined Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, Representative Tom Sannicandro, Representative Carolyn Dykema, and Framingham Town Manager Robert Halpin to welcome a new partner in the fight against prescription drug abuse and addiction: area realtors.
The Safe Homes Coalition joined area law enforcement and drug prevention leaders to announce a new program in Greater Boston designed to reduce the abuse of prescription medication and overdose deaths. 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, Millennium Health and local government and law enforcement leaders. The Coalition also includes organizations representing: the medical, dental and health care communities; recovery advocates; youth athletics; and other community partnerships.
“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 stem this epidemic.”
“This partnership reflects a collaborative effort to educate realtors and the public about what they can do to address the opioid crisis,” said District Attorney Ryan. “In order to fight this public health crisis we have to work together. In Middlesex County we are using a multi-pronged solution that uses every tool at our disposal: education, prevention, intervention, treatment, enforcement and legislation; this program will be an important piece of that approach.”
“As parents and neighbors, we used to be concerned about our kids and their friends raiding the liquor cabinet. Today it’s the medicine cabinet,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “By removing unused medications, we can help make our homes, neighborhoods and communities safer while saving lives in the battle against prescription drug addiction.”
Safe Homes campaign aims to stem rampant prescription drug abuse
An array of prescription drugs (AP)
Boston- Amid an opioid abuse epidemic in Massachusetts, a new Greater Boston program, meant to raise awareness about misuse of prescription drugs, launched on Wednesday.
Event Calendar
Please let us know if you are hosting an event and want SHC to attend.
SHC Greater Boston/Massachusetts Launch
Wednesday, September 30 at 10:00am
State House, Grand Staircase, Boston
Safe Homes Coalition will officially launch the Greater Boston program.
South Shore Program Launch
Tuesday, October 6
Weymouth Police Station, 140 Winter St, Weymouth
Safe Homes Coalition will join elected officials, law enforcement, and area stakeholders to launch the South Shore program.
Third Annual GBAR Roadshow Conference & Expo
Thursday, October 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Newton Marriott, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue
Safe Homes Coalition will take part in the exhibition at the annual summit hosted by the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®.
MIAA 19th Annual Wellness Summit
Friday, October 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough
Safe Homes Coalition will take part in the exhibition at the annual summit.
Additional Resources
The Parent Talk Kit
Tips for Talking and What to Say to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse provides guidance on starting a conversation, what to say and how to answer tough questions.
Concerned Citizens
Resources for those who may want to initiate a discussion, including healthcare workers, educators and communities and law enforcement.
Parents and Grandparents
Resources on how to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, over-the-counter medicines and more.