Help Raise Awareness of the Dangers of Medicine Abuse

In response to the growing epidemic of prescription and over-the-counter medicine abuse, the U.S. Senate recently introduced a resolution designating October as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month (NMAAM). CADCA, in partnership with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), is sponsoring several town hall meetings about medicine abuse during the month of October.

Sponsored by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- Calif.), Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), S. Res. 263 designates October as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and urges communities to educate parents and youth of the potential dangers associated with prescription and OTC medicine abuse.

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in 10 teens reports having abused cough medicine to get high with some teens intentionally take excessive amounts—sometimes up to 50 times the recommended dose—to get “high” from the active ingredient dextromethorphan. When used correctly, dextromethorphan-containing medicines have a 50-year history of being safe and effective. But when abused in extreme excess, dextromethorphan can produce dangerous side effects, especially when combined with alcohol, illicit drugs, or certain prescription drugs.

There are number of ways for community coalitions and other organizations to help educate their community about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and over-the-counter cough medicine abuse, such as by hosting a town hall meeting, partnering with local retail chains to set in place age restrictions or launching a community-wide educational campaign. Download a National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month toolkit at: StopMedicineAbuse.org.