AMCC Provides Atlantic Co. Residents an Opportunity to Safely Dispose of their Unwanted Rx Medicines

3/6/2014

For Immediate Release:

March 6, 2014

Angela Conover, Media Relations
201-916-1030 (c)
973-467-2138 (office)
conover@drugfreenj.org

American Medicine Chest Challenge Provides Atlantic County Residents an Opportunity to Safely Dispose of their Unneeded Rx Medicines

ATLANTIC COUNTY --- Atlantic County residents will have more opportunities to safeguard their homes from prescription drug abuse at a permanent American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) disposal box.

With the support and collaboration of Actavis, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) – the parent organization of the American Medicine Chest Challenge, recently awarded the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office with a permanent collection box for the disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine, the 79th permanent collection in the state of New Jersey. The box will be located in the vestibule of the Mays Landing Criminal Court Complex, which is open to the public from 7:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

According to AMCC Chief Executive Officer and PDFNJ Angelo M. Valente, “the goal of this community based public health initiative is to inform families of the importance of disposing excess medicines because they can be a danger lurking in the family home and provide a safe, convenient, and legal option for their disposal.”

“Actavis is proud to partner with the American Medicine Chest Challenge to raise awareness and educate consumers about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and to underscore the importance of properly disposing of unused medications,” said Paul Bisaro, Chairman and CEO of Actavis.  “By providing a safe, secure location for the proper disposal of unused, expired or unneeded medications, disposal boxes such as these highlight our commitment to being a national leader in the fight against prescription drug abuse, and to serving as responsible corporate citizens in the communities in which we live and work.”

“The support of Actavis to this communities will help save lives by providing opportunities for Atlantic County families to safely dispose of potent drugs that have the potential to lead kids down a path to addiction,'' said Valente. “With the AMCC we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes -- as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people,” he added.

“Everyone wants to be a ‘perfect parent.’ Here is an easy and convenient way to protect your family from accidental overdose or teenage temptations. Take the time to safely dispose of unused or expired medication today,” state Atlantic County Sheriff Frank X. Balles.

 “The American Medicine Chest 5-Step Challenge will help save the lives of your children,” Valente explained. He explained that disposal all permanent disposal locations can be found on AmericanMedicineChest.Com or through the AMCC RX Drop Mobile App.

The AMCC challenges families to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

  • Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
  • Secure your medicine chest.
  • Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
  • Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
  • Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled prescription drug abuse an epidemic, reporting that the death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade and more than 40 people die every day from overdoses involving narcotic pain relievers. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, 70 percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers obtained them from friends or relatives, and, there has been a 400% increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs.

AMCC is sponsored by PhRMA, Actavis, The Partnership at Drugfree.org, the American College of Emergency Room Physicians, and Covanta Energy.

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