May 25, 2020
CASA GRANDE — The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative, or RALI, has donated 8,000 safe disposal kits to help Casa Grande families stay safe and healthy while practicing social distancing during the coronavirus crisis.
Safe disposal kits will be available for regular pickup along with school materials at the nine elementary schools and three middle schools in the Casa Grande Elementary School District, which covers nearly 6,600 students.
Additionally, RALI awarded the Casa Grande Alliance a grant of $5,000 to support its COVID-19 outreach efforts, including the distribution of the safe disposal pouches.
RALI is an organization dedicated to fighting the opioid epidemic throughout Arizona and across the country.
Though the fight against COVID-19 remains top of mind, RALI continues to work with local leaders to ensure communities are also armed with the necessary tools to fight the opioid crisis from home.
Proper disposal of prescription medicines is a crucial preventative measure. RALI helps educate communities about safe storage and disposal and highlight local resources and organizations playing a key role in the fight against prescription drug misuse.
“This pandemic has created many challenges for all of us,” U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Sedona, said in a press release from the Casa Grande Alliance.
“It’s important to remember this time may be particularly difficult for individuals battling substance use disorders or increased anxiety.
“This donation and these kits will help parents, neighbors, and friends in our community ensure that their unused or expired prescriptions will stay out of the hands of loved ones. These preventative measures can help save lives, and I’m grateful to RALI, the Casa Grande school district and the Casa Grande Alliance for making this possible.”
The Casa Grande Elementary School District has a longstanding partnership with the Casa Grande Alliance, a nonprofit charitable organization that has provided prevention services to Casa Grande youths for over 30 years.
Casa Grande Alliance focuses on substance misuse prevention education and awareness services, treatment resource information and coalition mentoring.
“RALI is grateful to Rep. O’Halleran for his leadership and the Casa Grande Alliance for the opportunity to help families in the Casa Grande community,” said RALI Policy Director Candace DeMatteis. “Now more than ever, it’s important to help prevent substance misuse and addiction. Safe use and disposal of prescription medications is a critical step we can all take.”
Casa Grande Elementary School District Superintendent JoEtta Gonzalez added to the effort.
“Our school closure has left students at home for extended periods of time. We want to help ensure they are as safe as possible during the closure and throughout the long months of summer,” Gonzalez said.
“We are happy to distribute these kits in an effort to help our families and friends keep prescription medications out of the hands of our children and are grateful for the partnership and care offered to our community.”
Learn more about safe disposal and more ways to address the opioid epidemic at raliusa.org.
Those needing one may stop by the office or call 520-836-5022.