Feinstein, Grassley Designate October "National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month'

Statement

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, and Caucus Co-Chairman Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today announced Senate passage of a resolution designating October 2011 as "National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month."

The resolution serves to raise awareness of the growing misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Prescription drug abuse is the nation's fastest-growing drug problem, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

"We cannot simply focus on illegal street drugs, but must also recognize that over--the-counter and prescription drugs can be dangerously easy to obtain and sometimes lethal," said Senator Feinstein. "We must do a better job educating everyone about the risks of medicine abuse."

"Prescription drug abuse is an increasing problem among teen-agers," Senator Grassley said. "Prescription drugs are so common that a number of teen-agers use other people's drugs, thinking they're safe. This can be dangerous and lead to serious injury. Parents should educate themselves and their teen-agers about the potential for abuse before it's too late."

The designation of "National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month" promotes the message that over-the-counter and prescription medicines should be taken only as labeled or prescribed. Such medicines can have serious or life-threatening consequences when used to get high or in large doses. Safe disposal of unused medications must be encouraged to stop medicines from ending up in the wrong hands.

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