1. La Crosse County Drug Pick-up Program Collaboration

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Procedure (continued)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Questions?
Carissa Pagel-Smith ADRC of La Crosse County