October 29 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is tomorrow, Saturday October 29. There will be multiple collection sites around the Monadnock region where people can drop off unwanted or unused medications at no charge. Currently Keene, Swanzey, Chesterfield, Dublin, Antrim, Peterborough, Fitzwilliam, and Marlborough Police Departments have registered for the event. To find a collection site near you, click here http://1.usa.gov/sdydLq

Properly disposing of unused and unwanted medications is an important public health issue. The following is a quote from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control.

"National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet."

To learn more about Prescription Drug Take Back Day please visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

10/19/2011 Press Release: GMPHN Encourages Monadnock Residents to Sign Up for Free Emergency Alerts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2011

Contact:

Amanda N. Gaspard, MPH, CHEP

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Regional SNS Coordinator

Greater Monadnock Public Health Network

Office: 603-354-5454 Ext. 3030

Email: agaspard@cheshire-med.com 

Website: http://co.cheshire.nh.us/PublicHealth/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ReadyMonadnock

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreaterMonadnockPublicHealthNetwork

Blog: http://greatermonadnockpublichealthnetwork.blogspot.com/

GMPHN Encourages Monadnock Residents to Sign Up for Free Emergency Alerts

KEENE, NH, 10/19/11 — The Greater Monadnock Public Health Network (GMPHN) is now using a free electronic messaging system called Nixle which allows direct communication with people who sign up to receive alerts via text message and/or email. Nixle is a trusted entity that has been endorsed by the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, the Council of State Governments, the FBI, etc. Nixle is a free service (however standard text messaging rates do apply).

The GMPHN started utilizing Nixle during Hurricane Irene to inform Monadnock residents about flood warnings in the region. The GMPHN encourages all Monadnock residents to sign up for Nixle so they can receive alerts about disasters or other conditions in the area (such as a tornado warning, public health emergency, shelters opened during a snow storm, etc.)

To sign up for text messages alerts, simply text the word GMPHN to 888777.

Monadnock residents who want to receive both emails and text message alerts can register securely at no charge by visiting www.nixle.com. Click on “Sign Up Free!” and go through the simple steps to register. Once you create an account, you may select additional zip codes if you want to receive emergency alerts from other municipalities or states.

Monadnock residents can also view GMPHN alerts and advisories online at: http://local.nixle.com/greater-monadnock-public-health-network/

The Greater Monadnock Public Health Network is one of 15 public health networks in New Hampshire. It is housed by Cheshire Medical Center / Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene and is financed through Cheshire County via a grant by the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, with funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After the September 11^th attacks, state and local officials realized the need for a more robust public health system in New Hampshire. The public health networks strive to enhance and improve public health-related services by increasing collaboration and planning across municipal boundaries and the health and safety sectors. The Greater Monadnock Public Health Network consists of representatives from each of the 33 municipalities in the Monadnock region as well as representatives from regional organizations which provide for the public’s health and safety.

For more information contact Amanda Gaspard at agaspard@cheshire-med.com or 603-354-5454 Ext. 3030.

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Unveiling Ceremony of Permanent Drop Box for Unwanted Medications on 09/22/2011

The unveiling ceremony of the permanent disposal drop box for unwanted medications was held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the Keene Police Department, 400 Marlborough Street, Keene, NH 03431. Below is a picture of the new drop box, as well as parameters for disposal.

For more pictures from the unveiling ceremony visit http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.222646171124251.54996.163545367034332

Below is the press release from the Keene Police Department:

        City of Keene

              

Police Department   400 Marlboro Street   New Hampshire 03431

PRESS RELEASE

Prescription Drug Medication Drop Box

September 21, 2011

In partnership with Monadnock Voices for Prevention, Cheshire County, the Rotary Club of Keene-Elm City, Hoik Advertising, and Budget Blinds, the Keene Police Department is pleased to announce the opening of the first permanent disposal location for unused, unwanted and expired medications in Cheshire County.

The drop box is located in the lobby of the Keene Police Department and will be available for use to the public 24 hours a day, opening officially for use at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 22^nd following a brief press conference.

Guidelines for use and what is accepted for disposal in the box are attached.

For more information on safe medication disposal, please visit the Monadnock Voices web site:      http://www.monadnockvoices.org/takeback.home.html