Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Substance Use Prevention Task Group met Jan. 22.

Here is the agenda provided by the group:

1. Call to Order / Attendance

2. Welcome and Introductions

3. Approval of Minutes from November 13, 2023 Meeting

4. Old Business

a. HERO “Hidden in Plain Sight” (HIPS) Trailer Update

b. Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Update

c. MAPP Behavioral Health & Substance Use Task Force Update

5. New Business

a. Unwanted Medical Disposal Program (New Lenox Police Department) Update 

i. Will County / Will County Green no longer takes medications from the New Lenox Police Department’s Unwanted Medication Disposal Program. A new company, INMAR, now has been contracted to dispose of unwanted medications. INMAR does not require the police department to separate the product from the packaging, which limits unsafe exposure to personnel, which is good. Rather, they require the police department to seal the collection bins and ship them directly. Although INMAR does not require the medications to be weighed, the police department will continue that practice so we know year-to-year how much has been collected. 

ii. In 2023, 496 pounds of unwanted medications were brought into the New Lenox Police Department for disposal.

iii. Totals for previous years are as follows: 2022 / 461 pounds, 2021 / 542 pounds, 2020 / 352 pounds, 2019 / 588 pounds, 2018 / 562 pounds, 2017 / 589 pounds, 2016 / 707 pounds, 2015 / 737 pounds, 2014 / 728 pounds, 2013 / 664 pounds, 2012 / 679 pounds, 2011 / 747 pounds, 2010 / 740 pounds, and 2009 / 860 pounds.

iv. Since the inception of the program in 2009, 9,452 pounds of unwanted medications have been received and properly disposed of. This total does NOT include totals from participation in the DEA Medication Take Back Program.

b. Narcan Training

i. The next Narcan Training will be held via Zoom Videoconference on Monday February 26, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Distribution of the Narcan Nasal Spray Kits will at the New Lenox Village Hall on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Marketing for this training will start about 30 days in advance of the training.

c. “Steering Committee Update (January 3, 2024 Meeting)

i. 2024 Steering Committee Meeting Appointments

ii. New Lenox Safe Community Coalition By-Laws (minor revision)

iii. 2024 Strategic Plan

iv. Guest Speakers / Presentations for 2024 Coalition Meetings

v. March 27, 2024 Coalition Meeting / Luncheon – Gatto’s New Lenox

vi. Large Event Discussion

b. March 27, 2024 New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting – Substance Use Prevention needs to provide the Guest Speaker / Presenter for this Meeting. Please note – this will be the in-person meeting at Gatto’s!

c. 2024 “Your Light Still Shines”

i. Brief discussion – date, time, location, format, etc… Perhaps form a Planning Team.

6. Good of the Order / Organization Updates

a. Will County Health Department & Community Health Center, Tobacco Control & Prevention Programs E-cigarette & Vaping Toolkit for Schools (PDF)

b. CADCA – What’s Trending? E-cigarettes (PDF)

c. The next New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 / 10:30am, via Zoom videoconference.

7. Next Task Group Meeting: Monday, March 11, 2024 / 1:30pm, via Zoom videoconference. 

8. Adjournment

Substance Use Prevention Task Group

“To reduce injuries and deaths associated with substance use, through the establishment of collaborative partnerships and the implementation of educational programs, strategies and initiatives.”

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaTaskGroupsAgenda01-22-24061634012224PM1352.pdf