Faribault to Participate in the American Medicine Chest Challenge Nov. 8th

FARIBAULT— The Faribault Police Department will be coordinating the American Medicine Chest Challenge in Faribault.

The event will take place on November 8, 2014 in communities across the country. This initiative will challenge Faribault residents to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

• ·  Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• ·  Secure 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.

“To help combat this growing threat to our nation’s children, we are hosting the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) on November 8, 2014. In addition to the permanent Take It To the Box sites at the Faribault and Northfield Police Departments, residents can find a collection site, as well as disposal information, on www.americanmedicinechest.com”, said Captain Neal Pederson.

The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows prescription medicines to be the most abused drugs by Americans, other than marijuana and 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 one in nine children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.

"This Challenge will raise awareness about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and reduce the availability of potent drugs that lead kids down a path to addiction,'' explained American Medicine Chest Challenge Chief Executive Officer Angelo M. Valente.

“With the American Medicine Chest Challenge we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes -- as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people,” explained Valente.

“Since its 2009 inception in Faribault, Take It To the Box has seen tremendous success, giving residents a repository for thousands of pounds of unused and old medication, and keeping it out of the wrong hands. We are reminding residents of the need to properly dispose of medication”, said Chief Andy Bohlen.

The American Medicine Chest Challenge has gained the national support of PhRMA, Actavis, The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and Covanta.