How Can I Get Involved With Substance Use Prevention?

Your Guide To Helping Our Community Address Substance Use Prevention.

Substance use prevention is critical to keeping our community safe and healthy. In Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County, there were 42.7 opioid overdoses per 10,000 emergency department visits in 2021¹. That statistic is an alarming reminder of how drugs can affect our friends, neighbors, and community members. If you want to help prevent substance use in our community, check out these programs and resources.

Drug Take Back Days: Keeping expired and unused medications can pose a health risk to community members. Flushing those medicines down the toilet is also unacceptable because of environmental concerns and safety hazards. That’s why the Harrisonburg Police Department and the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to participate in Drug Take Back Days. These critical programs allow residents to drop off unused or expired prescription medication at locations around the City and County. The police department will dispose of them responsibly, in a manner approved by state and federal guidelines. Did you miss the last Drug Take Back Day? Check out this comprehensive list of drop box locations that take unused and expired medication all year long.

• Harrisonburg Police Department: The HPD hosts these events twice a year, with drop-off locations determined in advance. Learn more.
• Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office: The Sheriff’s Office participates in the Drug Take Back Days and allows county residents to drop off prescriptions at their offices when they are open to the public. Learn more.

Faces 4 Change: Faces 4 Change is a drug free community (DFC) and comprehensive addiction and recovery act (CARA) coalition funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Its primary mission is to coordinate and mobilize the community to provide resources and programs that reduce and prevent substance use in area youths and adults. Faces 4 Change invites community members to attend a coalition meeting, sign-up for training, and share their specific expertise with the group to make the Friendly City even friendlier. Learn more.

Futuro Latino: Futuro Latino is a community coalition that provides educational and leadership opportunities to Latino/a/x youth that address alcohol and substance use prevention. They connect with other local organizations and invite community members to join their coalition to influence positive change and lasting substance use prevention in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Learn more.