U.S. Senate Resolution Urges Communities, Parents to Fight Teen Medicine Abuse

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Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Sep 20, 2012, 10:14 ET

October designated as 'National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) applaud the U.S. Senate for passing S.Res.564, a resolution calling for increased national attention and awareness of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine abuse among teens.

The resolution, sponsored by U.S. Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), designates October 2012 as ''National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month" and urges communities to carry out programs and activities to educate parents and youth of the potential dangers associated with medicine abuse.

"While over-the-counter and prescription medicines are safe and necessary when used properly, too many teens are abusing these drugs to get high. That's why we commend the U.S. Senate for passing this important resolution," said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA chairman and CEO.

"Throughout National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, CADCA coalitions all across the United States will be holding events to educate their communities about the dangers of medicine abuse and to discuss solutions to the problem. These grassroots efforts can spur a nationwide dialogue about prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse in communities and among families across the country."

CADCA is a partner of CHPA's StopMedicineAbuse campaign to increase parental awareness of teen abuse of OTC cough medicines containing dextromethorphan. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's 2011 Monitoring the Future Survey, approximately 5 percent of teens have abused these medicines – sometimes as much as 25 times the recommended dose – to get high.

"Over-the-counter cough medicine abuse is a behavior that often goes undetected by parents. The mission of our StopMedicineAbuse campaign is to educate parents about this issue and to encourage them to talk to their teens and to safeguard their medicines. We thank the Senate for bringing medicine abuse to the national forefront so that we can all work together to raise awareness," said CHPA President and CEO Scott M. Melville.

To learn more about National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and about all of CADCA and CHPA's activities to curb prescription and OTC cough medicine abuse and to order free brochures, visit PreventRxAbuse.org and StopMedicineAbuse.org.

About the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
CADCA is the national membership organization representing over 5,000 coalitions working to make America's communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to build and strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events. For more information about CADCA, visit cadca.org.

About the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)
CHPA is the 131-year-old-trade association representing U.S. manufacturers and distributors of over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. To learn more about CHPA, visit chpa-info.org.

SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association