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Utica, New York (March 2016) – On Sunday, March 27, 2016, New York State made it mandatory that all prescriptions be transmitted electronically from the prescriber to the pharmacy. Although “e-prescribing” is already a popular trend across the nation, New York State is the first to make it mandatory with penalties. This requirement, under the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) Act, is intended to help fight prescription painkiller misuse, while combating the rising rates of prescription drug abuse across New York State. While it may be more time consuming for doctors, the new system allows very little room for error and eliminates a patient’s ability to “doctor shop.”

At a local level, the I-STOP Act supports the work that Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR, Inc.) does in Oneida and Herkimer counties to limit abuse and misuse of prescription opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and codeine. In 2015, CFLR, Inc., in collaboration with the Oneida County Heroin Opiate Task Force, held an interactive panel to discuss drug use and prevention initiatives with parents and teenagers. CFLR, Inc., in collaboration with Oneida County’s Communities That Care Coalition, participates in two Prescription Drug Take Back Days during the months of September and April. Utica and Rome Police Departments have RXMedReturn units available 24/7 for safe disposal of all medications as well.

“Through education and prevention, it is our hope that prescription drug abuse will decline and eventually stop altogether,” said Services Director, Judith H. Reilly. “It takes an entire community to make a difference, so the I-STOP Act is certainly a step in the right direction for New York State. I am confident that it will help further the work that our agency does as well.” To find out how you can do your part to combat local prescription misuse, please contact Judith H. Reilly, Services Director, at (315) 733-1709.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

The community is invited to join Oneida County Heroin/Opiate Task Force, and all of its partner agencies for a Prescription Drug Forum on Wednesday April 20th at 6:30 PM at MVCC’s Utica Campus, Payne Hall 102 (PH102). The Forum begins at 6:00PM with the opportunity to visit with community agencies and treatment providers, then at 6:30 the Forum begins!  County Executive, Anthony J. Picente, Jr. will set the stage for the event.  Speakers include treatment professionals, government representatives, and pharmacists. The Forum will run until 8:00pm.

Participants will come away with new found knowledge about:

• Media messaging and how it impacts the way we think about prescription medications;
• Trends and safety precautions around prescription medications, as well as new information about electronic prescribing;
• How to become the best advocate for yourself and your loved ones;
• And Prescription Take Back Days; safe disposal of medications.

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get immediate answers from those in the know.

Community partner agencies are invited to have a booth at the event.  To do so, please call or email Judith H. Reilly, Services Director for CFLR, Inc. at 315.768.2641 or jreilly@cflrinc.org by Friday, April 15. Thank you!

There’s no cost to participate, so please don’t miss out!

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

Utica, New York (April 2016) – Center for Family Life and Recovery along with the Drug Enforcement agency and various local agencies are hosting two take back days in April. The public is invited to drop off unwanted medicine on April 16^th at the New Hartford Shopping Center from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

April 30^th is National Take Back Day and various police departments around the area accepting unwanted medicine from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Before storing, flushing, or throwing away unwanted medicine know the consequences of doing this! From accidental drug poisoning to polluting our drinking water these drug disposal techniques are not the safe way to dispose of your left over medicine. Empty your medicine cabinet in a safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly way.

The following local are taking back prescriptions at any time: Bonaparte Pharmacy in Harrisville, The Falls Pharmacy in Lyons Falls, U&I Pharmacy in Vernon, and Garro Drugs in Utica. Alongside these areas of disposal, the Utica and Rome Police Departments have Drug Disposal units that are open to the public around the clock 7 days a week!

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

Please click on the link below to download a copy of March Tips & Alerts!

Tips and Alerts