PDFNJ Champions Rx Safety with 15th Annual Awareness Challenge

11/2/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2023
Contacts: Lisa Batitto, news@drugfreenj.org
 

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Champions Prescription Safety with 15th Annual Awareness Challenge
 

MILLBURN, NJ — The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is set to observe its 15th Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge National Day of Awareness on Saturday, November 11. This public health initiative aims to educate the public on the perils of prescription drug misuse and promotes safe disposal practices through the AMCC 5-Step Challenge.

The AMCC 5-Step Challenge is a program designed to potentially save the lives of children nationwide. Studies indicate a significant number of teenagers misuse opioids found in the medicine cabinets of their own homes or those of friends and family. For example, 53.0 percent of people who misused pain relievers reported that they obtained the pain relievers the last time from a friend or relative, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This underscores the importance of diligently securing medications within domestic settings.

“Saturday, November 11, marks a significant day in our ongoing battle against prescription drug misuse and the opioid crisis,” said Angelo Valente, executive director of Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. The AMCC 5-Step Challenge is a powerful tool for fostering awareness and promoting safe practices in homes nationwide. We urge everyone to participate in this year's challenge, taking proactive steps to protect their families and ensure that unused or expired prescriptions do not fall into the wrong hands.”

The American Medicine Chest Challenge includes five key steps:

  1. Take a detailed inventory of all prescription and over-the-counter medications.
  2. Ensure all medicines are securely stored.
  3. Discard any unused, unwanted, and expired medications at a designated American Medicine Chest Disposal Site.
  4. Refrain from sharing medications prescribed to you.
  5. Engage in open dialogue with children and healthcare professionals about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.

In New Jersey, there are 218 designated locations for medication drop-off, with multiple sites available in every county. For additional information and resources, visit the American Medicine Chest Challenge website at www.americanmedicinechest.com.

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 226 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.