(October 7, 2019) — In partnership with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) Indiana and the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI), Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke today announced a statewide expansion of RALI Indiana’s safe drug disposal program including the Evansville Fire Department. The expansion will provide Indiana fire departments with an additional donation of 75,000 safe drug disposal pouches to help fire departments across the state in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

The additional pouches were awarded due to the positive response and overwhelming demand to the 25,000 pouches donated in November 2018 to fire departments in Indianapolis, bringing RALI’s total contribution to the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana’s (PFFUI) safe drug disposal program to 100,000 pouches.

“I am proud of the efforts of RALI Indiana and the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana to help curb the opioid epidemic across Indiana,” said Mayor Winnecke. “With these additional pouches, Evansville fire departments will be able to distribute the preventative pouches to our local communities, allowing more Hoosiers to easily and safely dispose of unused prescription medication from their own homes.”

Evansville fire departments are receiving 10,000 safe drug disposal pouches from the statewide expansion, and this week the fire department will distribute the pouches to Hoosiers visiting the West Side Nut Club Festival in Evansville.

“As first responders, we are on the front lines of this epidemic every day,” said Evansville Fire Chief Mike Connelly. “These pouches are a critical step in helping end this devastation by preventing someone prone to addiction from ever trying their first opioid. We’ve got to take everything we’ve got – no matter how large or small – to end this crisis.”
PFFUI will distribute the 75,000 safe drug disposal pouches to fire departments across the state in coming weeks and months. Please contact your local fire department to request a safe drug disposal pouch.

“Thank you to the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana and RALI Indiana for their continued efforts to help those affected by this epidemic,” said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville). “This partnership plays a critical role in helping to end this crisis and save countless lives. We cannot slow down – we must continue our efforts until anyone battling addiction has the resources they need to recover.”