This Saturday, November 13th, is the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) American Medicine Chest Challenge National Day of Awareness. A national public health initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and encourage safe disposal of prescription drugs through the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC).

The AMCC 5-step challenge can help save the lives of our children.  We know that many teens who misuse opioids get them from the medicine cabinet of their friends and families so it is crucial for people to safeguard medicine within their homes.

I encourage everyone to take part in AMCC this year and protect our families from the dangers of prescription drugs and the opioid crisis.

The AMCC-NJ 5 steps include:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Secure your medicine.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
• Do not share the medicine prescribed to you
• Talk to your children and physician about the dangers of prescription drug abuse… they are listening. and physician about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. They are listening. 

In-person drop off locations were not available last year due to the pandemic, therefore it is more important than ever that families go through their medicine chest and dispose of unused or no longer needed prescriptions that could get into the wrong hands. 

There are over 220 collection sites in New Jersey. To find one near you, please visit the American Medicine Chest Challenge website.

I also want to mention that Elaine Pozycki, PDFNJ Board Chairperson was recently featured by The Partnership to End Addiction sharing her story of her son’s addiction and how she is championing to prevent opioid addiction across the country through the Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act, This act would create a grant program to incentivize states to require prescribers to discuss the addictive qualities of the drugs with patients and inform them of alternative treatment options before prescribing them for acute pain.

The Opioid Patients’ Right to Know Act will help provide patients the knowledge to make informed decisions about what treatment option is right for them. Its goal is to prevent opioid addiction before it even gets started and to save lives. Prevent Opioid Abuse has created a simple way for you to show support by asking your congressional representative to co-sponsor the bill. Click here to easily enter your name and address for a letter to be automatically be sent to your representative.

Be Well.