The opioid crisis is a multi-billion-dollar problem affecting our nation's health while significantly contributing to crime and overdose deaths. When it comes to the opioid crisis currently, drug overdoses suffered by family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, are now the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes for firearms.
"Through important initiatives such as Opioid Awareness Nights, we are inching closer to ending this devasting epidemic and thus making our community a healthier and safer place to call home," Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said. "We are looking forward to raising awareness and helping end the stigma on opioid addiction in our country."
Opioid Awareness Nights will encourage fans to make a difference by participating in the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and disposing of unwanted or expired medications properly on April 27 at a convenient collection site listed on
www.DEATakeBack.com
.
"The Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division is excited to promote opioid awareness nights at the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals games," said DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong. "We encourage everyone to get rid of unused and unwanted medications by participating in the DEA National Drug Take Back Day on April 27. Through opioid awareness and community engagement, we can all make a difference together."
A presenting sponsor of Opioid Awareness Nights, Leidos has made a significant commitment to putting an end to this urgent health emergency by creating an Opioid Epidemic Awareness and Education Campaign which has included important changes to its benefits program to protect employees from over prescribing, building relationships with non-profit organizations such as CADCA, Truth Initiative, Mark Walhberg Youth Foundation and the Christ Atwood Foundation, and supporting the DEA's 360 Strategy through education initiatives to help prevent heroin and opioid use.
Additionally, Leidos Chairman of the Board and CEO Roger Krone has issued a "Call to Action" challenging other CEOs to take this issue seriously and to play their part to ensure the welfare and safety of their employees and the communities they work and live in. Learn more about the pledge by clicking
here
. Krone will present a $500,000 check from Leidos to the Truth Initiative in support of this increasingly important cause at the Capitals game on Friday night.
"We are proud to bring awareness to this important issue through our partnerships with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the DEA," said Roger Krone, Chairman & CEO of Leidos. "The scale and urgency of the opioid epidemic is alarming and we can all do our part to help - whether it's a company taking a stand or an individual cleaning out their medicine cabinet. Only by working together can we have an impact on this crisis and achieve measurable results."
Opioid Awareness Nights will include a full-arena giveaway of DEA bracelets and in-game messaging including scoreboard, video public service announcements from Wizards and Capitals alums, LED signage in the arena and around the concourses as well as digital and social awareness. In support of the Opioid Epidemic Awareness campaign, members of MSE, some coaches and the NBC Sports Washington broadcast staff will wear purple ribbons both nights.
For more information about the potential for abuse of medication, please go to
www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com
.
