Prevention, Health and Diversion Project

The P.H.D. (Prevention, Health and Diversion) Project was established by SDOVCC to reduce the use of opioids and the abuse of prescription medications among youth in the south Miami-Dade community.

We focus on prescriber education and training, increasing awareness of Naloxone/NARCAN®, and educating the community on the dangers of opioids and prescription medication abuse.

Through the P.H.D. Project we have been able to secure multiple prescription medication drug drop boxes in the south Miami-Dade community. Properly disposing of unused, unwanted or expired medication is just one way of preventing misuse/abuse. Since obtaining the drop boxes in 2018, we have collected over 160 pounds of medication. We have also been able to partner with the Florida National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, Homestead Police Department, Miami-Dade County Police Department, and Walgreens to participate in five DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.

Through the P.H.D. Project we educate community members about the Opioid Epidemic, the impact it has had on Florida, and strategies to combat it in our community. This is done through Parent and Youth Café's, social media campaigns and informational brochures. We inform community members about properly storing and counting all medications (including everyday vitamins), proper ways to dispose of medications, and educating peers on how to prevent medication misuse/abuse.

Through Effectv (a Comcast company), we were able show a 30 second ad to the south Miami-Dade County community informing them that they could still properly dispose of medications in our drop boxes during COVID-19. All of our prescription medication drug drop boxes are located in pharmacies from West Perrine to Homestead, Fl.