Healthy Community Initiative

The Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition presented a special Prevention Champion award on July 30 to Lynn James, who is retiring from the Northfield Police Department.

James has been the point person for Northfield’s participation in the Take It To The Box program since it launched in 2009. The collaborative drug take-back effort between law enforcement agencies in Rice County and the RCCMHC aims to keep unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of the hands of young people and ensure that the medications are disposed of in an environmentally safe way. As the Northfield Police Department’s property and evidence technician, James regularly monitored the box in the department lobby, weighed the contents, recorded the totals, and helped coordinate regular trips to the incinerator.

Zach Pruitt, former executive director of Healthy Community Initiative, said: “Lynn has been the heart and soul of Take It To The Box since the program’s outset. At the time of its development, the Rice County program was one of the very first in the state. Lynn’s leadership, vision, and willingness to do whatever was necessary helped bring the program to life. To now have collected more than 43,000 pounds of medication speaks to just one of many impacts Lynn has had on this county. She is an absolute gem and will be greatly missed!”

The RCCMHC typically announces Prevention Champion awards in May, in honor of National Prevention Week. Recipients are recognized for their significant contributions in reducing risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse, supporting recovery, promoting mental health and well-being, and/or building assets for our youth and other community members. Visit the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition website to read about previous recipients.