La Crosse County Drug Pick-up Program Collaboration

Background Development of Alliance to HEAL Diversion of Opioids subgroup Goal: To increase disposal methods/options Current options not feasible for all opioid users Unaware of options and/or importance of timely disposal Development of Drug Pick-up Program Collaboration among La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office and La Crosse County Senior Nutrition Program Piloted conducted on 3/14; two HDM routes HEAL = Halting the Effects of Addiction Locally (Fall of 2018) Collective impact project to defeat the opioid epidemic in La Crosse County Alliance as a whole meets monthly; development of nine subgroups Current options = drug drop-boxes + drug take-back days

Procedure Identified home-delivered meal routes Obtained bags to be used for drug disposal Created media release and participant survey Developed letters (2) to give to HDM participants Delivered first letter, along with bag, one week prior We identified two rural communities in La Crosse County. In one community, Sheriff’s Office contacted Village to ride along. Media release described pilot and it’s importance; offered to meet at Kitchen. Participant survey created to capture need, interest in participating in future.

Procedure (continued) Letters were given to all participants on route, regardless of whether or not they planned to participate the day of the pick-up. Letter printed on Sheriff’s Office letterhead.

Procedure (continued) Contacted emergency contacts Issued media release to local media Routed HDM addresses to Sheriff’s Office Delivered second letter, along with survey, day before pick-up Specialists contacted emergency contacts for entire route. Indicated letter was given to participant, along with bag. In some cases, family asked that officer not go to door. Addresses were routed to Sheriff’s Office, just in case they were held up; did not happen. Second letter delivered one day before pick-up to serve as reminder and distribute survey.

Procedure (continued)

Day of Pick-up Deputies met driver at each pick-up location Due to pilot, interviewed with local media Deputies had sharps container, plastic tote, rubber gloves, participant addresses and evidence tag

Day of Pick-up (continued) Deputies traveled behind driver At each stop, deputies collected medication, if any; collected completed survey and distributed Dose of Reality handout and disposal sheet Dose of Reality handout for Seniors and Caregivers Deputies took items collected to Sheriff’s Office upon completion; locked in evidence room

RX Inventory Obtained total weight for each route Sorted into types of drugs; obtained weight individually Gundersen took non-controlled substances Sheriff’s office kept controlled substances

Results 63% total participation 15.85# total collected 0.56# hydrocodone 0.25# tramadol 0.06# oxycodone 0.18# unknown 3.19# EPA Hazardous Waste 19/30 total households; 63% participation West Salem Route (10/12 total households; 83% participation) Brice Prairie Route (9/18 total households; 50% participation) 1.05# total controlled substances; 889 total pills

Results (continued) 33% unaware of current disposal options 73% identified transportation as barrier 47% moderately or extremely concerned by having expired or unused medications in home 26% environmental concern 27% health and safety concern 27% environment and health/safety concern 85% would utilize pick-up program again

Next Steps Conducted second pick-up on 4/23 Additional pick-ups anticipated by year end Interest in Drug Pick-up Events at meal sites Interest in residential community pick-ups 2nd pick-up involved law enforcement from community (vs Sheriff’s Office) As a result, each department created letters on their own letterhead Results of 2nd pick-up: 15/30 total households; 50% participation 5.53# total collected; 0.87# controlled substances; 1.37# EPA hazardous waste

Questions? Carissa Pagel-Smith ADRC of La Crosse County cpagel@lacrossecounty.org 608-785-6172