Today, Walgreens and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced a collaboration that expands Walgreens efforts to fight prescription drug abuse. Through this collaboration, the APhA Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies will continue to offer a substance abuse education program for pharmacists and student pharmacists.

The four-day educational program will be conducted in Salt Lake City, Utah (June 3-6, 2016) and will provide the pharmacy profession with vital information and resources on the disease of addiction.

The collaboration with APhA is the latest step Walgreens is taking to fight prescription drug abuse. In February, Walgreens announced it will install safe medication disposal kiosks in more than 500 drugstores around the country in the first ongoing national effort of its kind by a retailer. The kiosks will make the disposal of medications — including opioids and other controlled substances — easier and more convenient while helping to reduce the misuse of medications and the rise in overdose deaths. At the same time, Walgreens also announced it will make naloxone, a lifesaving opioid antidote, available without a prescription in 35 states and Washington D.C. in accordance with each state’s pharmacy regulations. Both initiatives are rolling out state-by-state throughout this year.

Walgreens President of Pharmacy and Retail Operations Richard Ashworth said, “As a pharmacy, we are committed to playing a role in what must be a comprehensive solution to prevent addiction and prescription drug abuse throughout the country. Our work with APhA, together with Walgreens programs that specifically target opioid abuse, will go a long way to help address the epidemics of prescription drug misuse and heroin overdoses.”

For over 30 years, APhA has served as a leader in educating pharmacists and student pharmacists on issues related to addiction, abuse and misuse of alcohol and drugs. The APhA Institute offers training and networking opportunities for students, faculty members, pharmacists and board of pharmacy members to guide their chapters, schools and colleges of pharmacy, practice areas and state boards to build a strong foundation for addiction awareness and programming within the profession.

The APhA Institute will provide attendees with the latest methods and techniques for working effectively toward assisting individuals in finding treatment and supporting them in ongoing recovery. Attendees will learn ways to recognize and address the misuse and abuse of prescription medications and other addictive substances. The APhA Institute strives to provide a perspective for those who would like to understand addiction even if they have not experienced it themselves.

“We are pleased to have the support of Walgreens to work along with the profession as the epidemic of substance abuse in our nation continues to grow,” said Thomas Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA, APhA Executive Vice President and CEO. “Through the Institute, we hope to raise the public’s awareness of this critical issue through their pharmacists. While pharmacists have always been on the front lines, we can do more. Our goal is to enhance public awareness of substance use disorders and take action with our local communities.”

For more information and details on the upcoming APhA Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies visit the APhA Institute website.