WASHINGTON –
Members of the District of Columbia National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Outreach (DDRO) Civil Operators and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) coordinated with the Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center Dec. 16, 2024 to discuss prevention and wellness tips during the holiday season in Ward 8.
The Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center is part of the Department of Aging and Community Life, which assists seniors in learning about health, wellness, and social life through various interactive activities.
"Seeing the seniors appreciate us officers as allies and not just authority figures is what I enjoyed about visiting the wellness center," said Officer Berrita Willis, 7th District Community Outreach Coordinator, MPD. "It's very rewarding to see the seniors gravitate to us and want to engage."
We work together to educate community organizations on drug prevention and misuse. The Counterdrug program continues to bridge the gap between the Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD institutions in the fight against illicit drugs and transnational threats to the District.
"I first met Officer Willis at a chalk with cops event,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Belita Lynum, a DDRO Civil Operator. "I enjoy working with MPD and partnering with the seniors for this event."
Staff Sgt. Lynum took the lead in coordinating this prevention event after reviewing research regarding the increasing target audience for prescription overdoses. "Seniors are rising in the percentage of overdoses, especially in DC," said Staff Sgt. Lynum, "It's interesting because you would think it would be the younger people, but because of so many factors such as pain management, multiple medications or drug interactions, seniors are vulnerable."
In a report released by the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), over 300 prescription opioid overdoses were reported from 2017 through October 31, 2023; approximately 72% of all fatal opioid overdoses are between the ages of 40-69 years old.
Staff Sgt. Lynum created a multi-use refrigerator magnet with tips for adequately labeling and disposing of prescription drugs as a drug prevention safety tool. Because older adults may be more likely to misuse medicines, providing helpful tips and education can assist in prevention. MPD provided a special incentive for the participating seniors: a holiday token of a donated stuffed bear. The stuffed bear acted as an attention grabber, engaging seniors in the conversation.
"To see the seniors excited to participate and learn information they didn't know before and how the information was informative to them was great," said Staff Sgt. Lynum.
The Counterdrug program continues to connect generations through building community trust and knowledge one bear at a time.