Families Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Across US

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On November 8, 2014 the 5^th Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) --- a national public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and encourage safe disposal will be held in communities throughout the nation.

This initiative challenges families to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge.

"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."

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.

"With over 2,000 community and law enforcement partners nationwide, an awakening to the dangers of prescription drug abuse and a call to action to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, and unneeded medicine is continuing," explained Valente, who noted disposal locations across the country can be found on AmericanMedicineChest.Com or through the free Mobile App "AMCC RX Drop".

To commemorate the 5^th annual national event, AMCC and Actavis will be donating permanent prescription drug collection boxes to law enforcement partners in communities in California, Illinois, Utah, Florida, Puerto Rico, New York and New Jersey. Valente noted.  "Actavis' understanding of the need for families to have convenient, local, and safe disposal opportunities will help to stem the tide of the current epidemic of prescription drug abuse," said Valente.

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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SOURCE American Medicine Chest Challenge

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