Monumental Sports and Entertainment announced on Thursday morning that the Washington Capitals are hosting an “Opioid Awareness Night” on March 22 when the team plays at home against the Minnesota Wild. The night is being presented in conjunction with the company Leidos and the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Opioid Awareness Night is being used to bring awareness to the ongoing opioid crisis in the US, as well as to help promote the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27, where the public is encouraged of disposing of old, expired, and/or unwanted prescription drugs in a safe manner. Signage promoting the Take Back Day has been spotted on the Capital One Arena boards already.

Photo credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The night will include public service announcements from Capitals alumni on the video board, as well as signage. All fans in attendance will also receive a DEA-themed bracelet.

The Washington Wizards are also hosting their own Opioid Awareness night tonight, March 21, during their home game.

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Monumental Sports & Entertainment has announced Opioid Awareness Nights presented by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Leidos tonight at the Washington Wizards game against the Denver Nuggets and Friday, March 22 at the Washington Capitals game versus the Minnesota Wild at Capital One Arena.

The opioid crisis is a multi-billion-dollar problem affecting our nation’s health while significantly contributing to crime and overdose deaths. When it comes to the opioid crisis currently, drug overdoses suffered by family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, are now the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes for firearms.

“Through important initiatives such as Opioid Awareness Nights, we are inching closer to ending this devasting epidemic and thus making our community a healthier and safer place to call home,” Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said. “We are looking forward to raising awareness and helping end the stigma on opioid addiction in our country.”

Opioid Awareness Nights will encourage fans to make a difference by participating in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and disposing of unwanted or expired medications properly on April 27 at a convenient collection site listed on www.DEATakeBack.com.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division is excited to promote opioid awareness nights at the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals games,” said DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong. “We encourage everyone to get rid of unused and unwanted medications by participating in the DEA National Drug Take Back Day on April 27. Through opioid awareness and community engagement, we can all make a difference together.”

A presenting sponsor of Opioid Awareness Nights, Leidos has made a significant commitment to putting an end to this urgent health emergency by creating an Opioid Epidemic Awareness and Education Campaign which has included important changes to its benefits program to protect employees from over prescribing, building relationships with non-profit organizations such as CADCA, Truth Initiative, Mark Walhberg Youth Foundation and the Christ Atwood Foundation, and supporting the DEA’s 360 Strategy through education initiatives to help prevent heroin and opioid use.

Additionally, Leidos Chairman of the Board and CEO Roger Krone has issued a “Call to Action” challenging other CEOs to take this issue seriously and to play their part to ensure the welfare and safety of their employees and the communities they work and live in. Learn more about the pledge by clicking here. Krone will present a $500,000 check from Leidos to the Truth Initiative in support of this increasingly important cause at the Capitals game on Friday night.

“We are proud to bring awareness to this important issue through our partnerships with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and the DEA,” said Roger Krone, Chairman & CEO of Leidos. “The scale and urgency of the opioid epidemic is alarming and we can all do our part to help – whether it’s a company taking a stand or an individual cleaning out their medicine cabinet. Only by working together can we have an impact on this crisis and achieve measurable results.”

Opioid Awareness Nights will include a full-arena giveaway of DEA bracelets and in-game messaging including scoreboard, video public service announcements from Wizards and Capitals alums, LED signage in the arena and around the concourses as well as digital and social awareness. In support of the Opioid Epidemic Awareness campaign, members of MSE, some coaches and the NBC Sports Washington broadcast staff will wear purple ribbons both nights.

For more information about the potential for abuse of medication, please go to www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com.