Note: This is a past press release from April 2021. It is preserved here for archival and informational purposes.Â
Contact: media@safeproject.us
MENNEAPOLPIS, MN â April 6, 2021 â Today, SAFE Project, a nonprofit targeting the opioid epidemic in America, Deterra Drug Deactivation System, announced that theyâre joining forces for the third Gone for Good campaign in April 2021.
Gone for Good is designed to increase access to effective at-home drug disposal options and address COVID-19 challenges, such as limited access to take-back sites due to stay-at-home orders, suspension of permanent drop box programs, and the increase in opioid overdose risks due to isolation and unemployment.
âWe are at a crossroads with the opioid epidemic. More than 40 states reported an increase in opioid-related deaths in 2020, which can be directly tied to the challenges of COVID-19,â said former U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, who serves on the board of directors for both SAFE Project and Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc. maker of Deterra and is a longtime activist in the fight against the opioid epidemic. âWe need to face this issue head-on by educating communities across the United States on effective, at-home resources to safely and permanently dispose of unused prescription drugs.â
âMy wife and I created SAFE Project after our son Jonathanâs tragic death from an opioid overdose,â said Admiral James Winnefeld, a decorated Navy veteran and former vice-chairman of the Defense Departmentâs Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was recently appointed to the U.S. Commission on Synthetic Opioid Trafficking by Rep. Nancy Pelosi. âI served and defended my country for nearly 40 years, but I wasnât able to defend my 19-year-old son against an accidental overdose. At-home drug disposal is one way other parents can prevent a future tragedy from occurring.â
As part of the Gone for Good campaign, Deterra Pouches will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to people who fill out a request form at DeterraSystem.com/SAFE during the month of April. 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.
âIn 2020, the first year of Gone for Good, we had great success and were able to distribute 25,000 pouches,â said Jason Sundby, chairman, and CEO of Verde Environmental Technologies Inc., creator of Deterra. âIn April 2021, we aim to distribute 20,000 free Deterra Pouches, enough to remove 1.8 million opportunities for abuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental harm from homes.â
Athletico Physical Therapyâs participation in the Gone for Good campaign illustrates the important role clinical providers can play in addressing opioid misuse and abuse. Select Athletico clinics throughout Missouri and Illinois will have Deterra pouches available to their patients or members of the community to dispose of drugs in their homes. To see the list of participating clinics, visit www.athletico.com/GoneForGood.
âAthleticoâs mission is centered around patient care and through our industry-leading pain management program, we understand the importance of education and safe, at-home disposal of opioids,â said Ron Rodgers, CEO of Athletico Physical Therapy. âThrough the SAFE Projectâs Gone for Good campaign, we can support preventative measures to stop the addiction cycle and show our commitment to decreasing the opioid epidemic that is impacting all of the communities that we operate in.â
For more information about the Gone For Good campaign, visit DeterraSystem.com 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 May 2021.
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, âBest Physical Therapy Practice in the Nationâ 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, workersâ compensation, womenâs 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 VerdeÂź 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 DeterraÂź Drug Deactivation 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.
About SAFE Project
SAFE Project is a national 501(c)3) nonprofit committed to overcoming the addiction epidemic in the United States. SAFE Project provides transformative programming, training, and technical assistance based upon a collaborative, multipronged and nonpartisan approach within each of our key initiatives â SAFE Campuses, SAFE Communities, SAFE Workplaces and SAFE Veterans. Our work is fueled through six distinct, yet interrelated lines of operation: public awareness, full-spectrum prevention, prescriptions & medical response, law enforcement & criminal justice, treatment & recovery, and family outreach & support. SAFE Project turns hope into action. For more information visit safeproject.us.