Opioids
Partnering to Prevent Opioid Misuse
The opioid epidemic is a complex problem that requires a multiple partners and a multi-pronged approach, including strategies related to prevention, treatment, and recovery. The Health Department works closely with partners and community agencies to assist with our City’s response to the epidemic.
The Health Department focuses primarily on prevention and aligns with several of the 10 Essential Services of Public Health, including informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues as well as mobilizing community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.
Our strategies include: promoting proper medication disposal, training and education, and community collaboration.
Proper Medication Disposal
Proper disposal of prescription medication is an important way to prevent drug abuse and addiction. Unused or unwanted medications be misused, stolen, or abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens.
The Health Department does not accept medicines, needles/sharps, or other medical waste at our office, but we do work to provide information and materials to help community members dispose of medications properly. Medication disposal bags are available for free at the Norwalk Health Department while supplies last, one per household.
Alternatively, the Health Department encourages community members to drop off medications at the Norwalk Police Department Drug Drop Off Box (1 Monroe Street) or check for another nearby drop off box.
Community Collaboration
The Health Department is proud to participate in the Community Prevention Task Force, led by the Human Services Council and comprising more than 25 Norwalk key stakeholders to address the opioid crisis affecting Norwalk. The goals of the Task Force are to prevent new instances of opioid addiction and to help those suffering from the disease receive treatment. The Health Department assisted the CPTF with its letter to prescribers encouraging them to register with the CT Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System (CPMRS).
Training and Education
The Health Department, in partnership with our partners, has organized trainings on suicide prevention and naloxone training. In addition, the Health Department works to distribute clear, reliable information, educational materials, news, and announcements about community events related to opioid prevention.