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MTAC Collaboration to Prevent Opioid Misuse

Focus on Local Business and Prescriber Outreach

Since 1997, the Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) has been working to ensure Massapequa’s children, teens and young adults grow up healthy and make safe choices during adolescence. Its Lock Your Meds. Be Aware. Don’t Share Social Marketing Campaign seeks to combat the issues of heroin, opiates and prescription drug misuse among 12-25 year-olds in the Massapequas by collaborating with parents, residents, teens, and MTAC sector members and partners.

With the help of Jack Minogue and Jaclyn Micillo, student volunteers from Ames High School, as well as  students from Massapequa High School’s Chiefs Challenge, Active Minds and S.A.D.D. clubs, many Massapequa and Massapequa Park businesses are now displaying MTAC’s Lock Your Med’s posters to increase awareness. “Thanks to the time and effort of so many students, the coalition has been able to reach residents with our prevention message where they eat, shop and work!” stated Diane Marascia, Co-Chair, MTAC and Advisor, Massapequa High School Active Minds Club.

The Lock Your Meds campaign reminds parents and residents to secure their medications as 71% of young people in Massapequa who misuse prescription drugs get them from their homes, friends' homes or relatives' homes. Safeguarding medications is also an essential step to preventing accidental overdose by younger children and teens.

MTAC parents, sector members, partners and Massapequa residents are currently visiting their healthcare providers (doctors, dentists, etc.) to distribute MTAC’s Opioid Prescribing Toolkit and Questions to Ask When Prescribed Medication or Opioids wallet card for patients and caregivers.  Improving communication between providers and patients about safe medicine practices will also reduce drug misuse.

If you are interested in being a part of the solution and visiting your healthcare provider with MTAC’s Opioid Prescribing Toolkit, contact Cathy Samuels, MTAC Coalition Coordinator, at (516) 799-3000 x131 or email info@mtacoalition.com. You can also visit the MTAC website or Facebook page to learn more about the prevention of prescription drug misuse.

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