OKLAHOMA CITY – Mayor Mick Cornett , in partnership with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), is launching a public service campaign on Tuesday, Feb 28 to educate families about the importance of safe storage and disposal of prescription medications.
The campaign touts on these alarming statistics:
- Every day, more than 2,500 teenagers abuse prescription medication for the first time.1
- More than half of teens obtain medications from friends and family.1
- 12 to 17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. 1
Cornett is joined in the initiative by local pharmacist Lonny Wilson, DPh., president of the National Community Pharmacists Association, an organization representing the interests of America’s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies. Wilson has 30 years of experience in retail community pharmacy and currently owns and operates three pharmacies in eastern Oklahoma County.
“Many young people mistakenly think that it is safer to misuse prescription medications than illegal street drugs. There is less social stigma attached to misusing medications so it seems more acceptable to teens. Through this campaign, we want to educate the public about the steps they can take to help keep prescription medications out of the wrong hands.”
Visit www.safeguardmymeds.org for more information on safe storage and disposal of prescription medications. Download a medication inventory sheet and helpful brochures of prescription drug abuse.
The campaign is part of a national awareness initiative called Safeguard My Meds supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Community Pharmacists Association and pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma L.P., to reduce the abuse of prescription drug abuse.
[1] Office of National Drug Control Policy, Prescription for Danger, Jan. 2008