An alarming number of Ohio County youth are intentionally abusing prescription medicines to get high. The 2007 study by the National Study of Drug-Use and Health found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. A recent study on drug use by of teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) found that 1 in 9 children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.
To help combat this growing threat to our nation’s children, the United States Senate has deemed October 2010 as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month. Here in Ohio County, we’re taking things even further by hosting the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) on November 13, 2010. Residents can find a local collection site on www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com or dispose of their medicine at home, following the guidelines on the site.
AMCC a nationwide public health initiative that challenges residents to take the five step 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.
A local effort is being spearheaded by the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC) and the Wheeling Police Department (WPD).
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in our country, and the easiest way to combat it is to properly dispose of your old medicine. AMCC is the best way to do just that, so on November 13th, we ask all Ohio County residents to dispose of your unused, unwanted or expired medicine at the OFFICIAL OHIO CO. AMCC DISPOSAL SITE:
City-County Building
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
HOURS: 10 AM - 2 PM
For more information, please visit http://www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com/.
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