CVS Health Launches Two Initiatives in New Hampshire to Combat Opioid Abuse

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced two initiatives in New Hampshire to combat opioid abuse.  The company has installed safe medication disposal units inside two CVS Pharmacy locations in New Hampshire to help facilitate proper and timely disposal of opioids and other medications that could be diverted or misused if left in people's homes. In addition, the company committed more than $60,000 in funding to three New Hampshire non-profit organizations also working to address and prevent opioid abuse.  

"Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care professionals in the community, where we have witnessed the impacts of the epidemic of opioid addiction and misuse," said Thomas G.  Davis, R.Ph., Vice President of Professional Services for CVS Health. "Expanding our safe medication disposal efforts and funding community organizations in New Hampshire is an extension of our commitment to address and prevent opioid abuse in the communities we serve and fulfill our purpose of helping people on their path to better health."

The new medication disposal units have been installed inside CVS Pharmacy locations at 242 Main Street in Nashua and 268 West Street in Keene.  These locations were chosen because they are 24 hour pharmacies.  These disposal units will supplement the 15 additional units CVS Health has donated to police departments across the state.  Nationwide, CVS Health has donated more than 850 units to police departments, collecting more than 140 metric tons, or 300,000 pounds of unwanted medication. 

Underscoring its commitment to address and prevent opioid abuse, CVS Health is also contributing more than $60,000 to programs that address and prevent opioid abuse in coordination with SOS Recovery Community Organization, Hope on Haven Hill and Concord Hospital:

SOS Recovery Community Organization, Somersworth, New Hampshire – a program of Goodwin Community Health, SOS Recovery has received $20,000 from CVS Health to build capacity for current peer recovery coaches as well as recruit, train, and certify new recovery coaches to better serve individuals seeking services in Strafford County.

Hope on Haven Hill, Rochester, New Hampshire – a substance use treatment organization serving homeless, pregnant and newly parenting mothers who are in recovery, Hope on Haven Hill has received a $10,000 grant from CVS Health to train staff and volunteers to assist New Hampshire women obtain recovery and find new coping skills while becoming a new parent.

Concord Hospital Trust, Concord, New Hampshire – has received a $30,000 grant from CVS Health to further implement consistent SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) screenings in their Concord Hospital Medical Group primary care practices. The grant will also provide practice staff with professional development opportunities and training around the stigma associated with addiction and mental illness.

The expansion of safe medication disposal to a total of 750 CVS Pharmacy locations across the U.S. was included among the enhancements to the company's strategy to address and prevent opioid abuse announced in September 2017.  As part of that effort, the company also said it would enhance opioid utilization management aligned with CDC Guideline for CVS Caremark clients and members, complementing measures already in place.  

This work builds on ongoing programs the company operates including the Pharmacists Teach program, which brings CVS Pharmacists to local schools to talk to teens and parents about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, with more than 1,500 teens and parents in New Hampshire having already participated in the program.  CVS Health has also worked to expand access to the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone in 46 states, including New Hampshire.        

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,800 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 94 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contact:

Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications
(401) 770-9237
Erin.Britt@CVSHealth.com

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SOURCE CVS Health