Families Have Taken the "American Medicine Chest Challenge" and the Results Are In: National Survey Shows Reduction in Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use Among Young Adults

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC), a national public health campaign preventing prescription drug abuse and providing safe disposal options, welcomes the findings of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) survey that found the number of people aged 18 to 25 who used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in the past month declined 14 percent -- from 2.0 million in 2010 to 1.7 million in 2011.

"The goal of this community based public health initiative, since its inception in 2009, is to inform families of the need to secure and safely dispose of their unused, unwanted, and expired medicine because these excess medicines can be a danger lurking in the family home," explained Angelo M. Valente, Chief Executive Officer of AMCC. "The findings of the new SAMHSA study are in-line with the message of AMCC,  which challenges residents to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Secure your medicine chest.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

"Recent AMCC initiatives, such as the creation of the National Online Directory of Permanent Prescription Drug Collection Boxes and the release of the AMCC Rx Drop mobile application have made taking the AMCC and the disposing of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine much easier for American families," explained Valente.

Matt Bennett, Senior VP of Communications at PhRMA, said, "AMCC's education campaign about the safe use and disposal of medicines is an important component of the multi stakeholder approach needed to combat prescription drug abuse. PhRMA supports ongoing efforts that approach this problem from all necessary directions and looks forward to continued work with all stakeholders to reduce prescription drug abuse among all age groups."

AMCC is a not-for-profit community based public health initiative, with over 1,000 community and law enforcement partnerships in all 50 states, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. AMCC is sponsored by PhRMA, Generic Pharmaceutical Association, The American College of Emergency Physicians, the Partnership at DrugFree.org, and Covanta Energy.

SOURCE American Medicine Chest Challenge