CEO Corner: Law Enforcement’s Role in Prevention

It’s always a good time to recognize the efforts and sacrifices made by law enforcement officials, but this week is an important opportunity to reflect on the role of public safety departments in our lives.

With National Police Week (May 15-21) and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) coming up, I’ve been thinking about the incredible work that police departments, sheriff’s offices and other public safety organizations are doing to combat drug misuse and overdoses in the communities they serve.

Law enforcement is on the front lines of the opioid epidemic. From confiscating illicit substances and maintaining drop box locations to administering Narcan to overdose victims, police officers are increasingly tasked with addressing the impact of drug misuse in their jurisdictions.

We’re proud that public safety agencies like Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department use the Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System to help educate their communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and provide an easy, at-home option to extend the reach of prevention efforts. Law enforcement officers across the country keep Deterra in their squad cars to give to families to dispose of liquid medications as well as illicit substances, including suspected counterfeit and fentanyl-laced pills.

If we want to end the opioid epidemic, we need to continue to provide law enforcement with practical tools to help them prevent drug misuse before it starts. Funding opportunities like the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) provide essential support for local responses to illicit substance use, including drug deactivation and disposal campaigns.

On behalf of Verde Environmental Technologies, Inc., I want to extend a heartfelt “thank you”  to all the law enforcement personnel working tirelessly to protect and serve our communities. If you want to learn more about making at-home drug deactivation and disposal part of your prevention efforts, please contact our team.

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