Families Across the Country Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Misuse

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On November 11, communities throughout the United States will participate in the 9^th Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) National Day of Awareness of Prescription Drug Abuse and Safe Disposal, a national public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and encourage safe disposal of prescription drugs.

The American Medicine Chest Challenge is the home of the national registry of permanent collection sites where people can safely dispose of their unwanted, expired and unused medicine. There currently are about 2,000 permanent disposal sites in 46 states. To find a site near you, visit AmericanMedicineChest.com.

"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 of medicine. The five 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, talking to your children about the dangers of prescription drugs."

According to recent studies, approximately 80 percent of heroin users had previously misused prescription opioids before using heroin. In 2015, 33,091 people in the United States died from an opioid overdose.

AMCC is supported by The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, the American College of Emergency Room Physicians and Covanta Energy and is a subsidiary of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

SOURCE American Medicine Chest Challenge

Related Links

http://AmericanMedicineChest.com