For Immediate Release: October 28, 2015

Hannah Scansaroli, Media Coordinator

973-467-2100, hannah@drugfreenj.org

American Medicine Chest Challenge Launches 6^th Annual Initiative to Raise Awareness about Rx Abuse and Safe Medicine Disposal at IACP Conference

The American Medicine Chest Challenge launches its 6^th annual initiative to raise awareness about Rx abuse and safe medicine disposal at the IACP Conference in Chicago. Pictured is Angela Conover, National Media Director, AMCC and Angelo M. Valente, CEO of AMCC.

CHICAGO – The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) launched its 2015 initiative to raise awareness of Rx abuse and of the need to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Chicago. President Barak Obama addressed the 122nd Annual IACP Conference. 

The 6th Annual AMCC National Day of Awareness and Safe Disposal will be on November 14, 2015. All 50 states participate in AMCC along with Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and three Indian nations. Over 1,500 Rx permanent collection sites at local police departments and sheriff's offices throughout the United States are listed in AMCC’s national directory of Rx permanent collection sites. The directory along with other prescription drug abuse prevention information can be found at AmericanMedicineChest.com or by downloading the free app AMCC Rx Drop. 

AMCC is a community based public health initiative designed to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and a nationwide day of disposal and awareness– at a collection site or in the home - of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine across the country. AMCC encourages families to take the 5-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge which encourages families to:

1. Take inventory of their prescription and over-the-counter medicine
2. Secure their medicine
3. Dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in their home or at an AMCC disposal site
4. Take their medicine(s) exactly as prescribed
5. Talk to their children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

"The American Medicine Chest Challenge can help save the lives of our children," explained Angelo M. Valente, CEO of AMCC. “On November 14th we encourage all Americans to take the 5-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge and find a location to safely dispose of your unused, unwanted and expired medicine,” concluded Valente. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled prescription drug abuse an epidemic, reporting that the death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade and 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% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers obtained them from friends or relatives, and there has been a 400% increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs. 

AMCC is supported by PhRMA, the American College of Emergency Room Physicians, and Covanta Energy.

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