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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American College of Emergency Physicians, a national sponsor of the American Medicine Chest Challenge, is educating the public about safe disposal of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications in order to reduce the threat of drug abuse by children. Seventy percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers indicated they got them from friends or relatives and a recent survey shows that one in nine children are abusing prescription pain relievers.
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"Emergency physicians see first-hand the dangers of prescription drug abuse, which is why we recommend that everyone take stock of the medicines in their homes," said ACEP president, Sandra Schneider, MD, FACEP. "Prescription drugs are the most abused drugs in America other than marijuana, and parents are the first line of defense between kids and the prescription medications. If you don't need the medicines in your medicine chest, then your kids don't need them either."
The event will take place on November 13, 2010 in communities across the country. This initiative will challenge Americans to take the five-step American Medicine Chest Challenge:
In areas without an American Medicine Chest Challenge disposal site, people should follow federal guidelines for safe disposal of prescription medications:
"Parents also need to be award of the threat of accidental poisonings of children, which is another great reason to take stock of what's in your medicine chest and around your house," said Dr. Schneider.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine in 2008 reported that nearly 10,000 very young children accidentally ingested opiates prescribed for adults in their household between 2003 and 2006.
ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians Copyright©2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |