75 Percent of Heroin Users Start with Prescription Meds

As many as 75% of people who abuse heroin start with prescription

medication.

Prompted by the opioid crisis that is prevalent on Long Island, Centerport United

Methodist Church (CUMC) is partnering with Huntington/Cold Spring Harbor

UMC to host Shed the Meds, Saturday, May 12, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. In

coordination with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Free Long

Island, the event is being held to collect unused medications for safe disposal, as

well as to raise awareness of opioid abuse. The event will be at CUMC, 97 Little

Neck Road, Centerport, and is open to all in the surrounding communities.

Admission is free.

A representative from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to

oversee the collection of unused medications, both prescription and over-thecounter.

In addition to preventing medication from falling into the wrong hands,

safe disposal insures that drugs don’t contaminate the environment.

During the event, Drug Free Long Island, a volunteer organization that provides

education and advocacy throughout Long Island, will lead three educational

sessions. Admission is free:

• 9:30 am: Teen—Stress, Self-Esteem, Advocate – strategies for avoiding

substance abuse (for middle and high school students). "

• 10:30 am: Prevention—Signs, Symptoms and Communication – how to

help adults avoid the risks, learn the warning signs and symptoms, and

keep their friends and family members safe. "

• 11:30 am: Narcan Training—training on the use of Narcan, an opioid

overdose reversal drug. All participants will receive a Narcan kit or a

certificate for a free kit redeemable at a local pharmacy. The U.S. Surgeon

General recently advised that more people should receive Narcan training,

particularly those with friends or family members with a long-term opioid

prescription. "

Any questions can be emailed to cumcsecretary@gmail.com.