On Saturday, Nov. 12, the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) will be held in communities across America to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Locally, area residents will have an opportunity to drop off their unused, unwanted or expired medications on Nov. 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at either of two Columbiana County locations:

- East Liverpool City Hospital's Main Entrance, 425 W. Fifth Street in East Liverpool

- Salem Medical Center (across the street from Salem Community Hospital), 2094 E. State Street in Salem.

How to Participate

- Area residents will remain in their cars and hand off the unwanted medications to local law enforcement officers, who will be the only staff handling the medications. No requests for identification will be asked.

- Medication may be kept in its original container or removed from the original container.

- If an original container is disposed, please try to remove any personal identifying information from the prescription label.

- Liquid medications may be dropped off, but make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Rising Prescription

Drug Abuse

"Prescription drug abuse is the nation's fastest-growing drug problem, and take-back events such as this one are important tools for reducing this public health threat," said Detective Dan Downard, Director, Columbiana County Drug Task Force.

This one-day effort is being organized by the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, and sponsoring organizations include the ADAPT Coalition, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, Columbiana County Health Department, Family Recovery Center, East Liverpool City Hospital, Salem Community Hospital and Heritage-WTI. These organizations are collaborating on this county-wide event to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from people's medicine chests.

Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs. National studies show that 70 percent of people, who abuse prescription pain relievers, obtained them from friends or relatives.

In addition, more than 6 million Americans used a prescription medication for non-medical purposes in the past 30 days. As alarming, is the fact that, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy between 1997 to 2007, there has been a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs.

"This event is designed to bring to light the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse and the easy accessibility of these medications within the home," Detective Downard said. "The drop-off is designed to create a way for adults to anonymously, legally, and safely dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine."