Our community has come together, like many others, to combat the opioid crisis. Several local agencies have rallied to create impactful community resources. A 2016 survey by Castlight, which listed Wilmington, NC as the #1 city for opioid abuse in the United States, was a wake-up call to the severity this community has been affected by opioid-related fatalities and hardships. At Alcami, we work with our clients to develop abuse deterrence medicines to help combat this nationwide epidemic that hits home, even here in Wilmington.

As a member of the Cape Fear Community, there are many things that you can do at a personal level to help end this epidemic.

1. End the Stigma and Start Conversations
Have age-appropriate conversations with your children about opioid abuse and reassure them you are open to talking about the topic. Seniors are also often affected by dependence on prescription drugs. Speak with aging parents about the dangers of opioid prescriptions following surgeries, and how to employ alternative pain management techniques. Additionally, share community events that aim to educate, prevent, and treat prescription abuse within your social network.

2. Safely Secure and Dispose of Expired or Unused Medications
Actively monitor the number of pills you have and keep opioid medications in a place inaccessible to minors and others that may not understand the severity of the risks associated with these prescriptions. New Hanover County has several permanent drop box locations to properly dispose of these medications.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY LOCATIONS
NHRMC Outpatient Pharmacy
2131 S. 17th Street, Wilmington
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

NHRMC Emergency Department-North
151 Scotts Hill Drive, Wilmington
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Front Desk
3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne
Available 24 hours a day

New Hanover County Courthouse, Room 201
24 N. 3rd Street, Downtown Wilmington
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Walgreens
4521 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
Available 24 hours a day

Carolina Beach Police Department
1121 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach
Available 24 hours a day

UNCW Police Department
5126 Lionfish Drive, Wilmington
Available 24 hours a day

CVS
4600 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
Available 24 hours a day

Cape Fear Pharmacy
5235 S. College Road, Wilmington
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

3. Speak with your Employer about Donating Money to a Local Organization Involved in Countering this Epidemic Communicate with your employer about donating to a local organization dedicated to fighting opioid abuse, or organizing a fundraiser to match funds given by employees. Alcami has worked with three of our sites, including Wilmington, to donate funds that go directly to treating and preventing opioid abuse.

How the Pharmaceutical Industry is Combating the Epidemic
There are several formulation strategies currently employed in the pharmaceutical industry to reduce or eliminate the potential for the abuse and misuse of psychoactive pharmaceuticals. Psychoactive products, like opioids, have a high potential for addiction due to their mood-altering effects.




















Alcami performs abuse deterrence studies designed to meet FDA abuse-deterrent testing requirements. Our abuse-deterrent experiments are based on the type of abuse-deterrent properties the medicine is intended to have. We use real-world abuse techniques and evaluate how the medicine will prevent someone from the possibility of abusing the medication. Some examples of experiments performed include manipulation experiments with particle size determination, extraction experiments in various common household solvents, syringeability determinations, and vaporization evaluations. Alcami specializes in Category 1 in-vitro studies, has full GMP traceability, and uses a team-based approach when applying appropriate resources to effectively utilize and meet client deadlines. This is especially important as Category 1 strategies and results drive the in-vivo Category 2 and 3 studies required for abuse-deterrent labeling of drug products. Ultimately, abuse deterrent drugs carry benefits for patients, the medical community, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more, visit alcaminow.com.

Need help now?
Helplines and resources below are free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish 24/7, 365 days a year.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Trillium Health Services Access to Care Line: 1-877-685-2415 (for support services specific to North Carolina

Quick Response Team: Call 910-833-2052 to access treatment services and care for overdose survivors, their friends, and family