welcome to the mayor's opiods information and resources page

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The purpose of this Mayor’s Opioid page is to provide as much up-to-date information as possible about opioids and their effects, the consequences of misuse, signs of addiction and to connect community members with resources for prevention, treatment and support 

RAISING AWARNESS IS THE FIRST STEP

Addiction to opioids comes in many different forms. Here are just a few of the stories from those who experienced it. While not everyone becomes addicted to pain medications,  it does happen. Through listening to these stories, our hope is to reduce the stigma, encourage prevention efforts, provide compassion and support for those in need.

Prescription Opioids can be prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain but can also have serious risks and side effects. Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone.  Watch this informational video about prescription opioids. 

This 1-minute-31-second video is designed to raise awareness about prescription opioids. Some people might think prescription opioids are safer than alcohol or illegal drugs, but the truth is they carry serious risks and side effects. Talk with your doctor about your concerns so you can make informed decisions about your pain management together.

Facts About Opioid Use for acute pain treatment from the Center for Disease Control.  

Click here for fact sheet 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever. It is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states.

Additional information on Fentanyl
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/fentanyl.html
https://health.ri.gov/data/drugoverdoses/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl 

Heroin use has increased sharply across the United States among men and women, in most age groups, and at all income levels. Some of the greatest increases occurred in demographic groups with historically low rates of heroin use: women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes. 

Count It!  Lock It!  Drop It!

You can help keep your loved ones safe and prevent misuse or theft by practicing these simple steps to keep all your prescription medications secure and properly disposing of expired or unwanted drugs.

 Count It! – Monitor Your Rx Meds!
•   Count your pills frequently to prevent misuse.
•   Check prescription expiration dates often

 Lock It! – Store Your Rx Drugs Safely!
•   Lock up your medications or store in a secure place.
•   Use secure lock bags and boxes. 

 Drop It! – Dispose of All Unused or Expired Rx Medications!
•   Dispose of all unused, unwanted or expired drugs.
•   Drop boxes are located at the Johnston Police Department, the RI State Police Barracks or 24-hour CVS Pharmacies.  

Johnston Police Department  1651 Atwood Avenue  Johnston, RI 02919

CVS Pharmacy - Open 24 Hours  1400 Hartford Avenue  Johnston, RI 02919

...And Don't Share! - Sharing your Rx medication is dangerous and illegal!

 Do your part to fight against prescription drug misuse by properly disposing of expired or unwanted medications and help prevent them from getting into the wrong hands. Secure drop boxes are located the Johnston Police
Department, RI State Police Barracks or 24-hour CVS Pharmacies. No questions asked!

What is Accepted
Prescription medications in any dosage form, in sealed clear plastic bag. 

What is NOT Accepted

• Needles (Sharps)     
• Thermometers
• Aerosol Cans
• Lotions/Creams
• Inhalers
• IV Bags
• Over-The-Counter Medicines
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Bloody/Infectious Waste
• Personal Care Products
• Packaging
• Empty Containers/Plastic Bottles

Deterra Drug Deactivation System – Safe Drug Disposal at Home The patented Deterra® System is a scientifically proven product, powered by proprietary MAT12® Molecular Adsorption Technology.

In a simple 3-step process, a user can deactivate drugs, thereby preventing drug misuse and protecting the environment. Learn more here

Selling Your Home? – Make a Prescription Drug Checklist! 

Before you show your home, Realtor.com advises you remove all prescription drugs from your medicine cabinet, even the ones you think are harmless. Click here to learn more 

 Get Naloxone! 
Naloxone (sometimes called Narcan®) is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. Opioid pain medications and drugs like heroin or fentanyl can slow-down breathing and cause an overdose. Naloxone is safe and effective and comes as a nasal spray. Talk to your pharmacist to learn more. You could save a life! 

Some important facts about naloxone:

•   Naloxone can be safely administered by lay people.

•   Get naloxone and learn how to use it at any pharmacy. Rhode Island law allows for the prescribing of naloxone at most pharmacies in Rhode Island.Use this map to find a pharmacy near you.

•   All health insurers in Rhode Island cover at least one type of generic naloxone with a no cost/low-cost co-payment. Medicaid fully covers the cost of generic naloxone and Narcan® single-step intranasal spray.

•   Naloxone awareness posters can be ordered online by visiting RIDOH’s Publications page.

•   Visit PreventOverdoseRI.org to find naloxone trainings near you.

How to Use a Fentanyl Test Strip to Help Prevent Overdose Fentanyl is a deadly opioid that is being added to other drugs like heroin, cocaine and pills. Fentanyl test strips can tell you whether or not there is Fentanyl in your drugs.  Click here for a fact sheet on how to use test strips.     

Fentanyl Kills! Some Critical Steps to Help Keep You Alive! 

 •   Help each other. Don’t use alone — pair up.  

 •   Fentanyl kills quickly. Make sure you and your friends carry naloxone. 

 •   Fentanyl comes in pills, pure powders, and powder mixed with other drugs, especially heroin and     cocaine.     You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Whatever you do, start low, and go slow.  

 •   If you think it’s an overdose, Call 9-1-1. Every minute counts! 

Call 414-LINK (5465) to get connected to treatment and recovery services.