The American Medicine Chest Challenge

While mainstream illicit substances like marijuana and cocaine get a lot of the attention from legislation, media reports, and rehabilitation centers, prescription drug abuse is a growing problem; non-medical use of prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and the drugs themselves are often even easier to obtain. The American Medicine Chest Challenge, an organization dedicated to fighting prescription drug abuse, offers a program to educate and help the public.

The Problem Of Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug abuse is a problem in almost every area of the country, bordering marijuana abuse in severity and surpassing many other common drugs. Prescription drugs are particularly problematic because they are more easily obtainable, and legal with the only hurdle being a prescription from a physician. Since much of the American population has at least one prescription drug that they use regularly, gaps in the disposal process cause many expired or unused medications to fall into the hands of an abuser. For example, studies indicate that 70 percent of prescription drug abusers obtain the drugs from friends or family members.

The Medicine Chest Challenge

The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) is a non-profit initiative designed to help inform the public about the dangers and prevalence of the prescription drug problem, as well as simultaneously prevent the distribution of prescription drugs directly. The challenge is implemented in five steps, designed to help the average American eliminate the risk of their prescription drugs falling into an abuserâÂ�Â�s possession:

1. Taking a regularly updated inventory of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines in the household. This allows you to keep track of all medical materials and make a fast determination if some go missing.
2. Securing the medicine cabinet or storage unit. Most Americans keep their prescription medication in a dangerously easy to access area, such as a cabinet above the sink. Securing these materials will prevent their theft.
3. Disposing of unused, unwanted, and/or expired medications in a secure way. The AMCC offers a number of sponsored locations that will properly dispose of all your medications at no cost.
4. Taking all forms of medicine exactly as prescribed or directed. Prescription drug abuse is only dangerous when taken or administered outside the medicineâÂ�Â�s intended use and/or a physicianâÂ�Â�s guidance. By sticking to the manufacturerâÂ�Â�s and prescriberâÂ�Â�s specific instructions, you will prevent any short-term or long-term damage.
5. Talking to your children about prescription drug abuse, and the associated dangers. Education is one of the greatest keys to preventing drug abuse-related incidents, especially with youth.

The AMCC offers a number of different resources and educational tools designed to inform the public and prevent the sale, distribution, or misuse of prescription drugs.

Prescription drug abuse continues to be one of the biggest drug-related issues in the United States, but by taking the AMCCâÂ�Â�s five steps toward preventing prescription drug abuse, you can do your part to fight against it.