SRMT ACDP Holds Prescription Take Back Day

By Isaac White.

The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across the United States, with countless individuals and families grappling with the harrowing effects of addiction. Lindy Brant, a case manager for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Alcohol Chemical Dependency Program (SRMT ACDP), spoke with Indian Time on her and ACDP's work to make a difference in Akwesasne through various initiatives, such as prescription medication disposal events, educational outreach, and Narcan training programs.

On April 22nd, Brant and her team organized a prescription medication takeback event at the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Station parking lot. The event provided a safe and convenient way for community members to dispose of medications they no longer needed, preventing potential misuse and abuse. Alongside the disposal services, Brant and her team offered educational literature on opioids, shedding light on the severe consequences of drug abuse and addiction.

During the event, Brant engaged with attendees, including two children and their mother, taking the opportunity to educate them on the dangers of opioids and other drugs. By openly discussing these issues, Brant hopes to foster a sense of awareness and support within the community.

The event also highlighted the importance of Narcan, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Brant, her team, and the SRMT ACDP provide Narcan training for individuals, programs, and private businesses.

Brant told Indian Time, "We do presentations with tribal programs, other programs, and companies that want us to come in and really go into detail."

While Narcan is incredibly effective, Brant emphasized that it can only be used for opioid overdoses and not for overdoses caused by other drugs. However, given the increasing prevalence of street drugs mixed with unknown other drugs, frequently opioids, she stressed the importance of having Narcan readily available for safety purposes.

Despite Narcan's life-saving capabilities, Brant noted that it is not a miracle solution. In some cases, multiple doses may be needed for the drug to take effect, a testament to the potency of today's street opioids. Nonetheless, Narcan remains a crucial tool in the fight against opioid overdose, and proper training is essential to ensure its effective use in critical situations.

Brant also addressed the increasing strength of street opioids, attributing it to the prevalence of Fentanyl – an extremely potent and dangerous substance that is infiltrating the illicit drug market. Fentanyl has been reported to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin, making it a fast-acting and potentially lethal drug. Brant emphasized that while some individuals might believe their non-opioid drugs, such as cocaine, are free from Fentanyl, the reality is that Fentanyl contamination is becoming more and more common across various street drug supplies.

Although Brant, her team, and the ACDP cannot definitively say that the majority of drugs sold in Akwesasne contain Fentanyl, they have observed a growing number of instances where the drug is found in street drug batches.

Brant explained, "We're just seeing quite a bit. They mix it. We'll ask people, 'What is your drug of choice?'

Brant continues what she was told by a user, "'Oh cocaine.' What they don't realize is that cocaine can be mixed with anything else and a lot of time it might be an opiate, whether it's Fentanyl or heroin."

Recognizing the risks associated with Fentanyl and other opioids, Brant underscored the importance of prescription take-back days, like the one organized by ACDP on April 22nd. These events help to prevent unused prescription medications, including opioids, from falling into the wrong hands and contributing to the ongoing drug crisis. Brant acknowledged the support of the Tribal Police, represented by PJ Burns, in facilitating these crucial community events.

By providing safe and responsible disposal options for unused prescription medications, Brant and her team are taking a proactive approach to reduce the potential for misuse and abuse. Additionally, the ACDP's focus on education and Narcan training aims to empower community members with the knowledge and tools needed to combat the opioid crisis and save lives.

Brant stressed the importance of clearing medicine cabinets of old prescriptions to prevent them from falling into the hands of those they are not intended for. The ACDP holds prescription take back days twice a year to combat this risk and ensure proper disposal of medications. When collected, these prescriptions are weighed to provide a true and accurate picture of the scale of prescriptions received, not just opioids but all outdated medications.

Old prescriptions left sitting on shelves are often the initial source of opioid misuse outside of a doctor's supervision.

Brant shared an example, "Say it's a Tota that has these medications and their grandchild goes in and they know that those pills are sitting there. It makes it very easy for them to grab them. That person won't even know they were taken."

She explained that many individuals simply forget to dispose of their unused medications once they have completed their prescribed course of treatment. Brant and her team aim to address this issue through their prescription take-back days, providing a valuable service to the community.

Brant acknowledged that no one is perfect and that forgetting to dispose of old prescriptions is not uncommon. However, she and the ACDP are working diligently to put an end to this problem. The team's focus on Narcan training and availability stems from its life-saving potential, as Brant has heard stories of people overdosing in a room full of others and being left alone to potentially die.

Expanding community understanding of Narcan and addiction issues is crucial in promoting a culture of vigilance and support for those in Akwesasne who need others to look out for them. Lindy Brant and her team at ACDP stand as a shining example of dedicated educators and compassionate individuals who work tirelessly to ease the pain of Akwesasronon suffering from addiction.

By offering prescription take-back days, educational resources, and Narcan training, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Alcohol Chemical Dependency Program is making a significant impact in the community. Through their efforts, they are not only addressing the dangers of opioids and Fentanyl but also working towards a safer, healthier Akwesasne for all.