National event raises awareness of Rx drug abuse

Special to the Courier

On Saturday, Nov. 10, a historic and lifesaving public health initiative - The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) -will be held in communities throughout the nation to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
This initiative will challenge families across the United States to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:
• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Lock 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.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled prescription drug abuse an epidemic. Reorts indicate that the death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade. In addition, 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. Additionally, there has been a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs.
AMCC Chief Executive Officer Angelo M. Valente explained, "The American Medicine Chest 5-Step Challenge will help save the lives of your children. With over 1,000 community, government, and local law enforcement partners in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and two Indian Nations, we are on our way to a truly historical nationwide awakening to the dangers of prescription drug abuse."
Disposal locations, both permanent and one-day sites, can be found on AmericanMedicineChest.com or through the AMCC RX Drop Mobile App. Also, the website www.americanmedicinechest.com offers a comprehensive repository of information on the Nov. 10 event as well as prescription drug abuse prevention.