Washington, D.C. – Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) applauds the U.S. Senate for passing a resolution Friday, September 23, 2011 naming October National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.
The resolution, which was passed today by unanimous consent, calls for increased attention and awareness of prescription drug abuse and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse among teens. Sponsored by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Senate Resolution 261 urges communities to carry out programs and activities to educate parents and youth of the potential dangers associated with medicine abuse. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also co-sponsored the Resolution.
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, prescription drug abuse is our nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. In fact, today the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that there were 2.4 million new users of the nonmedical use of prescription drugs in 2010.
The study also found that the abuse of prescription drugs is second only to marijuana, the number one illegal drug of abuse in the U.S. In addition, the 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey found that five percent of teens have abused over-the-counter cough medicines, sometimes as much as 25 to 50 times the recommended dose, containing the active ingredient dextromethorphan to get high over the past year. When abused in extreme excess, dextromethorphan can produce dangerous side effects, especially when combined with alcohol, illicit drugs, or certain prescription drugs.
"While prescription and over-the-counter medicines are safe and necessary when used properly, too many teens are abusing these drugs to get high. We hope that our efforts during National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month will raise awareness about the numbers of young people who cur rently abuse medicines, and spur a dialogue about prevention in communities and kitchen tables across the country," said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA chairman and CEO.
To help anti-drug coalitions around the nation address medicine abuse in their communities, CADCA has developed a number of tools, including the Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit: From Awareness to Action found at PreventRxAbuse.org. In addition, CADCA and its longtime partner, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, have launched a campaign to raise awareness of this issue and encourage community organizations to hold educational events in October informing parents about this dangerous trend. (The foregoing is a release taken with permission from CADCA)
CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), is the national membership organization representing over 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to make America’s communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events.
The foregoing was reprinted with permission from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and one of their associates, Victoria Carlborg. Thanks for your assistance and work.
Prescription, and even over-the-counter drug abuse is an epidemic in this country. We need awareness through early as well as ongoing education directed at children, more treatment centers, and doing something constructive about dismantling the failed war on drugs.
All of us need to be involved in doing our part in saving our youth, adults, and the elderly because drug abuse does touch everyone in one way or another.
Peace...
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