Families Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Across US

10/28/2014

For Immediate Release:

October 2014

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

 

Families Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Across US

Free, Safe Medicine Disposal Locations Available Throughout the Country

 

ORLANDO  --- The  American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) --- a national public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and encourage safe storage and disposal will be highlighted as a best practice at the 2014 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Orlando this month.

Law Enforcement officials throughout the country participate in the AMCC by encouraging the safe and legal disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine through the AMCC Public Health Campaign.

"The American Medicine Chest Challenge can help save the lives of our children," said Angelo M. Valente, CEO of AMCC. "By participating in AMCC's 5 Step Challenge, families throughout the country are safeguarding their home from the potential misuse and abuse of medicine. The 5-steps include taking inventory of your medicine, securing your medicine chest, taking medicine only as prescribed, safely disposing of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine, and most importantly, talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drugs.”

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, prescription drug abuse and drug diversion are growing problems in the United States. Approximately seven million Americans misuse or abuse prescription drugs.

 “With over 1,000 community and law enforcement partners nationwide, an awakening to the dangers of prescription drug abuse is continuing,” explained Valente.  He noted hundreds of disposal locations across the country can be found on AmericanMedicineChest.Com or through the free Mobile App “AMCC RX Drop”.

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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