PRIDE, 

police dept.

visit 

seniors

The Putnam Police Department, working in cooperation with the Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone (PRIDE), continues to expand its educational outreach in its effort to foster a safe, drug-free environment for the entire Putnam community.

Working in collaboration, the two agencies have been reaching out to business owners, town officials, law enforcement, school administrators, parents and youth, delivering the message on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.  In its latest effort the team visited the senior citizens in the elderly housing complexes in Putnam.  Included in their visits were the Bulger-St. Onge Apartments, Little River Acres, Hampshire Heights and Ella Grasso Apartments.

The team of presenters included Putnam Deputy Chief of Police Lee Konicki, Sgt. Justin Lussier and PRIDE Coordinator Romeo Blackmar.  This was a first-time initiative with Putnam’s senior housing developments.

“This was the first time we’ve done this type of presentation with this group.  We learned some things that we’ll put to use in future meetings.  It was a great event, giving us the opportunity to speak with some wonderful people, while answering a number of questions and concerns that were brought forward,” said Konicki.

The results of the visits paid off handsomely as approximately 50 pounds of unused and outdated prescription medications were collected from approximately 36 participants.  The success of the Putnam Police Department and PRIDE coalition has produced stunning results, with more than 2600 pounds of unwanted, unused and expired medications having been collected since the inception of the program.  

Much of the success of the “drug take back program” is attributable directly to two programs, the “Prescription Drug Drop Box” in the lobby of the police department and the “Drug Take Back Days.”  The response to the Drop Box has “been impressive,” according to Konicki.  The “Take Back Days” have been so well received that they are conducted twice a year, with people responding from throughout northeastern Connecticut and nearby Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Since the “Prescription Drug Drop Box” has been in the lobby of the police department, more than 1,000 pounds of unused, unwanted prescription drugs have been collected, while the “Drug Take Back days” have been responsible for more than 1,600 pounds being returned for safe disposal. 

“Expanding our program to our senior citizen community provided us the opportunity to not only meet and educate these people but it certainly fostered goodwill,” said Blackmar.

The next “Putnam Drug Take Back Day” is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at the Putnam Farmer’s Market on Kennedy Drive.