SAN DIEGO–The Safe Homes Coalition (SHC) and the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS (NSDCAR), revealedtoday at their Carmel Valley Marketing session, the successful launch of a Keep Kids Safe Program aimed at reducing overdose deaths associated with the misuse and abuse of prescription medications. California Congressman Scott Peters attended the event.
“We aren’t just REALTORS and Affiliates helping our clients buy and sell homes. We are an important part of this community and want our children safe. We’ve proven that there is indeed something that everyone can do to save a life. Become educated about the proper use, storage and disposal of these powerful medications. With your help, we can stem this epidemic that is causing many North San Diego families to lose the ones they love,” said NSDCAR Coordinating Committee member, and project Leader Laurie Duffy. “It takes a village.”
The program was driven by the Carmel Valley Coordinating Committee of the NSDCAR who volunteered to be a part of the solution by delivering the practical and actionable message of “Safe Use, Safe Storage, and Safe Disposal of Prescription Medications” to more than 2,500 families. They conveyed this message by distributing informative collection bags to North County brokerages to provide to residents whose homes were on the market.
At the event, each member of the Coordinating Committee was recognized for their volunteerism and hard work. They are: Project Leader Laurie Duffy (Case Escrow), Christina Dworsky (Coldwell Banker), Rose Wolkins (Keller Williams), Jan Taylor (Fidelity Home Warranty), Alicia Sorber Gallegos (Two Men and a Truck), Anna Smith Barthell (Anchor Funding), Cliff Mensch (Bennion Deville), Sean Harkin (Synergy Home Lending), Bill Gaylord (Caliber Home Loans), and Susan Maronde (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage).
“Across California, and in San Diego, we’ve seen opioid and prescription drug abuse rise to epidemic levels, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Representative Peters. “This work by the Safe Homes Coalition and the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS to help stop this epidemic is critical to thousands of children and families and will help save lives. I thank them for offering a creative and practical solution and for just their willingness to get involved and make a difference.”
The SHC has distributed more than 22,500 bags through Keep Kids Safe programs across the country.
“By safely storing medications when a home is open to the public, these families prevent medications from getting into the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, especially those most vulnerable – our children,” said Gregory A. Stein, SHC Executive Director.
Many of the Committee members have experienced the tragedy of prescription drug misuse and abuse, and proudly presented a $2,464.08 check to SHC. The funds will help offset the costs of the program and help pay for resources for future efforts.
Millennium Health, a San Diego-based health solutions company, is the founding partner of SHC.
“Education and awareness around the dangers of medication misuse and abuse have been a cornerstone of Millennium Health’s community outreach efforts,” said Nikhil Nayak, Chief Marketing Officer of Millennium Health. “This unique Coalition provides a special opportunity to provide a simple solution to address this complex public health crisis.”
