Families Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Abuse Across US

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On November 12, 2016 the 7^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 of prescription drugs will be held in communities throughout the nation.

"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, talking 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 majority of drug overdose deaths, more than six out of ten, involve an opioid and, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin) nearly quadrupled since 1999. More than 78 people die every day from overdoses involving narcotic pain relievers.

"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."  

AMCC is supported by PhRMA, The Partnership at Drugfree.org, 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://www.americanmedicinechest.com