U.S. Senate Introduces a Resolution Naming October National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month

Earlier this week, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) introduced S. Res. 261, a resolution designating October 2011 as "National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month” (NMAAM). Senators Feinstein and Grassley stated that the NMAAM “is an opportunity for Americans to reaffirm our national, state and local level commitment to living healthy, drug-free lifestyles.” Senators Blumenthal (D-CT), Casey (D-PA), Durbin (D-IL), Manchin (D-WV), Portman (R-OH), Rockefeller (D-WV) and Whitehouse (D-RI) 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 with 2.4 million new users of the nonmedical use of prescription drugs in 2010, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study also found that the abuse of prescription drug is second only to marijuana, the number one illegal drug of abuse in the U.S.

In light of these facts, the NMAAM Resolution raises awareness about this critical issue. The resolution recognizes the destruction that the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medicines can have, as well as the need for effective substance use/abuse prevention efforts to counteract the rising trend in the misuse and abuse of these substances. It also promotes the message that prescription and over-the-counter medicines should only be taken as labeled. In addition, the resolution calls upon communities to “carry out appropriate programs and activities to educate parents and youth of the potential dangers associated with medicine abuse.”

If your senator co-sponsored this important Resolution, please thank him/her. You can find your Senator’s contact information here. To encourage coalitions to get involved in National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, CADCA and its partner, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, are sponsoring the CADCA 50 Challenge. The CADCA 50 Challenge is asking coalitions to host a town hall meeting, or another type of educational event about BOTH prescription drug abuse and cough medicine abuse in their community. By registering at  www.preventrxabuse.org you will be automatically entered in a drawing for a free iPad2!