MINNEAPOLIS – October 1, 2021 – Today, SAFE Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the opioid epidemic, and Athletico Physical Therapy announce they are partnering on the fourth Gone for Good® at-home medication disposal campaign to distribute the Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System free of charge to U.S. households this October.
The first Gone for Good campaign was launched in April 2020 to increase access to safe drug deactivation and disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than 45,000 Deterra Pouches have been distributed through Gone for Good – enough to destroy nearly 4 million pills.
“Raising awareness about the importance of proper drug disposal is more important than ever– we lost 93,000 Americans to drug overdoses in 2020, a 30% increase from 2019,” says SAFE Project cofounder Admiral James Winnefeld, who served as vice chairman of the Defense Department’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and was recently appointed to the Congressional Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking. “Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is a simple, practical way that people can make a real difference and prevent unused drugs from being misused, stolen or accidentally ingested.”
Providing individuals with a discreet, at-home drug deactivation option helps break down barriers that can prevent people from disposing of drugs properly, including lack of easy access to disposal sites and the stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD).
“We know there is a demand for effective disposal methods that people can use in the privacy of their own home. We’ve gotten more and more requests for Deterra Pouches with each campaign, and it’s such a simple way for people to help keep their families and the environment safe,” says Jason Sundby, CEO of Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., creator of Deterra System.
“We need to take every shred of shame out of the equation – substance use disorder is not a moral failing, but a problem with a solution,” says Winnefeld. “Eliminating opportunities for misuse by cleaning out your home medicine cabinet is a critical part of that solution.”
From Oct. 1-31, individuals can request a free Deterra Pouch at DeterraSystem.com/SAFE and the pouch will be mailed directly to their home.*
Each pouch uses activated carbon to deactivate up to 90 pills, 12 ounces of liquid, or up to 12 patches. In a simple three-step process, a user deactivates the drugs by putting them in the Deterra Pouch, adding water, shaking, and simply throwing it away in the normal household trash. Plus, the plant-based pouch makes it safe to dispose of unused medications without harming the environment.
For more information about the Gone for Good campaign, visit DeterraSystem.com/SAFE and follow Deterra on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
*Only available in the U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Limit one pouch per household. While supplies last. Requested pouches will be delivered in November 2021.
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About SAFE Project
SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) Project is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to overcoming the epidemic of addiction in the United States. Using a collaborative, multi-pronged and non-partisan approach, our key initiatives focus on SAFE Campuses, SAFE Communities, SAFE Veterans and SAFE Workplaces. They are fueled by SAFE Project’s six lines of operation: public awareness, full-spectrum prevention, prescriptions & medical response, law enforcement & criminal justice, treatment & recovery and family outreach & support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from our volunteers, SAFE turns hope into action through transformative programs, training, and technical assistance. For more information, visit safeproject.us.
About Athletico Physical Therapy
Athletico Physical Therapy provides the highest quality orthopedic rehabilitation services to communities, employers and athletes in over 525 locations throughout twelve states with more than 5,000 employees. Athletico is committed to our patients and referring physicians through our patient-centric focus, positive work environment, attention to quality and high standard of care. Athletico measures patient outcomes and satisfaction and is dedicated to continuous improvement. Athletico was named #1 Workplace in Chicago, “Best Physical Therapy Practice in the Nation” by ADVANCE magazine, Top Workplace in the Nation and has been recognized as a leader in employee volunteering and charitable giving. Our services include physical and occupational/hand therapy, workers’ compensation, women’s health therapy, concussion management and athletic training. For more information, or to schedule a free assessment in- clinic or now online with our virtual free assessments, visit www.athletico.com and follow us on Twitter at @athletico.
About Deterra and Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc.
Minneapolis-based Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., is a privately owned company committed to developing research based scientifically proven solutions to reduce drug abuse, misuse and negative environmental impact. The patented Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System is powered by proprietary activated carbon, which deactivates drugs. Deterra is highly effective in adsorbing and firmly binding drugs, rendering them inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment. Visit DeterraSystem.com to learn more.
Contact:
Lauren Peck Maccabee PR on behalf of Deterra System 612-294-3129
lauren@maccabee.com
