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Read MoreFirst in Tri-State Area to provide innovative Deterra Drug Deactivation System
MULLICA HILL, NJ (December 2, 2016) – Over the past several years, overdose and drug abuse related to prescription drugs and heroin in southern New Jersey have increased at dramatic rates. Gloucester County’s mortality rate from opioid overdose ranks among the highest in the state and Cumberland and Salem counties are not far behind, ranking among the top third for highest mortality (2012-2014 County Health Rankings).
In an effort to prevent the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, Inspira Health Network has partnered with the Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester Health and Wellness Alliance to provide community agencies with the Deterra Drug Deactivation System free of charge.
“We know that nearly half of heroin users start by abusing prescription drugs. We also know that teenagers and young adults are a high risk for experimenting or abusing prescriptions that may not even be prescribed to them,” said Carolyn Heckman, vice president of Community Relations at Inspira. “By partnering with local agencies to distribute Deterra to community members, we hope to greatly reduce the amount of old or unused prescription drugs in homes and stop addiction before it begins.”
Deterra is a drug deactivation product that can be used for easy and environmentally-friendly disposal of prescription drugs at home. It uses a molecular absorption technology to neutralize active chemicals in prescription drugs when water is added.
“As a community organization, we focus heavily on prevention and diversion of controlled substances,” said Matthew Rudd, director of coalitions and communications at The Southwest Council. “We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Inspira Health Network on this program and add the Deterra product to our toolkit in the fight against drug addiction.”
“Our nation is facing an epidemic because of misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, concurrently we are seeing the negative impacts that these same drugs have on our environment," says John Mulcahy, Verde's vice president of sales. "We’re pleased Inspira Health Network is taking a leadership role by providing Deterra to their community.”
For more information about this program, visit InspiraHealthNetwork.org/deterra. If you are part of a community agency and would like to request the Deterra product, please visit the website or call (856) 641-8389.
About Inspira Health Network
Inspira Health Network is a charitable nonprofit health care organization serving communities across southern New Jersey. The network, which traces its roots to 1899, comprises three hospitals, a comprehensive cancer center, several multi-specialty health centers and a total of more than 100 access points. These include urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; numerous specialty centers, including sleep medicine, cardiac testing, digestive health and wound care; home care and hospice; and more than 30 primary and specialty physician practices in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem and Camden counties.
Together with its medical staff of more than 1,100 physicians and other care providers, as well as more than 5,700 employees, Inspira Health Network provides evidence-based care to help each patient achieve the best possible outcome. Accredited by DNV Healthcare, the network’s clinical and support staffs are focused on providing quality care in a safe environment. For more information about Inspira Health Network, call 1-800-INSPIRA.
