The B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition, the Power 2Save Lives Coalition and Reverend Robert Lawrence sponsored a collection event for prescription drugs no longer being used at the Blessed Trinity Church on Plymouth Avenue on June 19, 2010. The event was announced at a press conference held at SSTAR, on June 11th. Funding for the project came from HRIA (Health Resources in Action) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, area pharmacists and a private foundation and was sponsored by pharmacists Tom Cory of Standard Pharmacy, Carol McShane of Health Care Pharmacy and Tom Pasternak of Walsh Pharmacy, along with members of the B.O.L.D. Coalition, the City of Fall River and Reverend Lawrence. The “Prescription Drug Take- Back” is a proactive initiative organized to prevent prescription drug abuse, especially by children and young adults. $25 supermarket gift cards were exchanged for the medications turned in at the event by the first 250 people who arrived. Click here for a more complete description of the event. For more information, call 508-324-3537.(Top center photo courtesy of Fa. Rob)
 

(Top row, center) BOLD Coalition Director Karen Fischer talks with Coalition Chairman Tom Pasternak, R..Ph.of Walsh Pharmacy during the take-back event at Blessed Trinity Church. (Top row, center) People line up to return unused prescription medication in exchange for a $25 supermarket card. (Top row, right) Health Care Pharmacy pharmacist Carol McShane consults with Fall River Health and Human Services Director Henry Vaillancourt, M.D. over the contents of a prescription. (Middle row, left) Eric Nemkovich assists pharmacist Tom Khoury, R.Ph. separate non-controlled substances from packages. (Middle row, right) Cathy Viveiros helps Cecile Michno with a survey that participants are asked to complete. (Bottom row, left) Rev. Robert Lawrence, who helped to organize a similar event for guns, is interviewed by Phil Sabatino of Fall River Cable Television. (Bottom row, center) Mayor Will Flanagan poses for a photo with Fr. Rob of Blessed Trinity Church. (Bottom row, right) Brenda Saxon holds one of the supermarket cards with Rick Bastille after dropping off their unused medications.