SAFE Project, Deterra Drug Deactivation System, and Athletico Physical Therapy Partner to Take on the Opioid Epidemic
The Gone for Good at-home medication disposal campaign aims to permanently get rid of 1.8 million medications across the United States
MINNEAPOLIS– April 6, 2021 – Today, SAFE Project, a nonprofit targeting the opioid epidemic in America, Deterra Drug Deactivation System, and Athletico Physical Therapy announced that they’re 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.
“We 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,” 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. “We 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.”
“My wife and I created SAFE Project after our son Jonathan’s tragic death from an opioid overdose,” said Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld, a decorated Navy veteran and former vice chairman of the Defense Department’s Join Chiefs of Staff, who was recently appointed to the U.S. Commission on Synthetic Opioid Trafficking by Rep. Nancy Pelosi. “I served and defended my country for nearly 40 years, but I wasn’t 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.”
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.
“In 2020, the first year of Gone for Good, we had great success and were able to distribute 25,000 pouches,” said Jason Sundby, chairman and CEO of Verde Environmental Technologies Inc., creator of Deterra. “In 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.”
Athletico Physical Therapy’s 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 home. To see the list of participating clinics, visit www.athletico.com/GoneForGood.
“Athletico’s 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,” said Ron Rodgers, CEO of Athletico Physical Therapy. “Through the SAFE Project’s 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.”
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 SAFE Project
SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) Project is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to overcoming the epidemic of addiction in the United States. Using a collaborative, multi-pronged and non-partisan approach, our key initiatives focus on SAFE Campuses, SAFE Communities, SAFE Veterans and SAFE Workplaces. They are fueled by SAFE Project’s six lines of operation: public awareness, full-spectrum prevention, prescriptions & medical response, law enforcement & criminal justice, treatment & recovery and family outreach & support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from our volunteers, SAFE turns hope into action through transformative programs, training, and technical assistance. For more information, visit safeproject.us.
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, “Best Physical Therapy Practice in the Nation” 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, workers’ compensation, women’s 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 Verde® 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 Deterra® 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.
