Voices of Our Partners

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1 Voices of Our Partners Strategic partners, federal partners and funders for The Medicine Abuse Project have shared their voices by providing quotes related to the campaign. A full list of partners can be found at MedicineAbuseProject.org. Order of Quotes: Members of Congress ACT Missouri Aetna Student Health Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies American Association of Poison Control Centers American College of Emergency Physicians American Society of Anesthesiologists Any Lab Test Now Behind the Orange Curtain Caron Treatment Centers Cardinal Health Consumer Healthcare Products Association CVS Caremark Endo Health Solutions HC DrugFree IACLEA Jazz Pharmaceuticals Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse National Association of Drug Court Professionals National Association of School Nurses National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse National Institute on Drug Abuse Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition Partnership at DrugFreeIowa.org Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Purdue Pharma Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program Teva The American College of Preventive Medicine The Governor s Prevention Partnership Watson Pharmaceuticals White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

2 Members of Congress: We must do far more to raise awareness about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in the United States. Prescription drugs are the second-most abused category of drugs in our country after marijuana. There were an astonishing 15,597 unintentional overdose deaths in 2009 involving opioid pain relievers, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. This is simply unacceptable, and we all have a responsibility to reverse this disturbing trend. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman, Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control As Americans, we rally around efforts to fight breast cancer, childhood diseases and other serious health threats. But for far too long, there have only been hushed whispers about prescription drug abuse now the fastest growing drug problem in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in many ways the new definition for self-destruction. Today prescription drug abuse is more than just a public health epidemic it s a national tragedy. And we simply can t wish this horrific problem away. It s going to take all of us working together. By better coordinating the efforts of local, state, and national agencies and by supporting groups like the Partnership, I am convinced that we can eventually save thousands of lives and spare millions of American families from the heartache of addiction. Clearly, we have our work cut out for us. But considering what s at stake, we cannot afford to fail. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), Co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse ACT Missouri: ACT Missouri is thrilled to be a part of The Medicine Abuse Project. Over the last four DEA takebacks, Missouri collected a record-setting 52,274 pounds of medication - that s the weight of nearly four school busses! Missourians are motivated and ready to take action to make communities safer for our children. Laurisa Mahlin, Public Information Officer, ACT Missouri Aetna Student Health: With all the stresses that young adults face today it is no surprise that we have seen an uptick in the number who self-medicate with prescription or over-the-counter medications. However most do not realize the very real dangers or real world consequences of taking these drugs incorrectly. At Aetna Student Health one of our primary goals is to educate and inform, to create a Sustainable Student blueprint that both students and educators can reference when faced with unforeseen challenges such as prescription drug addiction or abuse. It is with this goal in mind that we eagerly join in The Partnership at Drugfree.org s effort to launch The Medicine Abuse Project. Chekesha Kidd, President Aetna Student Health Voices of Our Partners 2

3 Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies: According to a study by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, one in six Americans have purchased prescription medicine on the Internet without a valid prescription, and a Health Affairs report found that increases in high-speed Internet use are associated with increases in treatment for prescription drug abuse. These are scary but not surprising statistics considering that 96% of the more than 40,000 active websites selling prescription drugs are illegitimate, often selling abusable prescription medication to consumers without a valid prescription. The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies is committed to protecting the public health from illegal online drug sellers that prey on consumers. Libby Baney, Vice President at FaegreBD Consulting, Advisor to the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies American Association of Poison Control Centers: Medicine abuse is a big problem, and is getting bigger. The nation s 57 poison centers have seen medicine misuse and abuse rise so quickly that it now makes up the majority of calls to poison centers. It is also the fastest growing category of calls. In 2010, the poison center network answered roughly one million calls about exposure to medicine, a number that, sadly, includes about 500 fatalities and more than 200,000 instances of adverse health effects. Parents, talk to your teens about the dangers of taking medicine incorrectly. Keep your household medicine locked up, and when you are finished with it, dispose of it in a way that will be inaccessible or unappealing to children. We encourage pharmacists and prescribers both to look out for signs of addiction or other misuse of medicine. Loreeta Canton, Communications Director, AAPCC American College of Emergency Physicians: Emergency physicians see the tragic consequences of medicine abuse in their emergency departments every day. This is an equal-opportunity social problem affecting people in every neighborhood, at every income bracket and at every age. It is not just an inner city problem it s an every city problem. Julie Lloyd, Public Relations Manager, American College of Emergency Physicians American Society of Anesthesiologists: As an anesthesiologist and pain physician, I see firsthand the tragedy of prescription drug abuse. When prescribing pain medicine, it is critical that physicians take the time to speak with patients and their parents or loved ones about the risks of misusing drugs, as well as the signs and symptoms of overdose. In addition, patients can help prevent prescription drug abuse by making sure medication is safely stored and properly disposed. It all begins with education. John F. Dombrowski, M.D., Chair of the Committee on Communications, American Society of Anesthesiologists Voices of Our Partners 3

4 Any Lab Test Now: Understanding the ever-changing environment of drug use by teens, then deciding how to have a conversation with your child while trying to maintain their trust, is probably one of the most difficult situations for parents of middle school and high school students Prescription drug abuse adds a new twist - drugs that are perceived as safe. This is when parents needs organizations such as The Partnership at Drugfree.org, as well as community-based organizations, to help them gain the knowledge and have the conversations. Terri McCulloch, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, ANY LAB TEST NOW Behind the Orange Curtain: Prescription drugs are not intended for recreational use. Improper use, abuse and addiction to many medications can result in death and addiction has become an epidemic in this country. Prescription drug addiction does not discriminate. It doesn t matter if you live on Park Avenue or the park bench. It starts by making one bad choice. Natalie Costa, Producer, Behind the Orange Curtain Caron Treatment Centers: Many factors have resulted in the relative ease with which our children can access and use dangerous and addicting drugs: the health care system with its sometimes irresponsible design and prescribing of abusable medications, the lack of awareness of the public about the dangers of prescription medications, and the failure to secure dangerous medications. The prescription drugs found in many medicine cabinets are often as dangerous as having an unsecured loaded gun tucked away in a drawer. One or two of mom s tranquilizers and a friend s beer and now we find ourselves writing one more eulogy for a young life ended far too soon. It is crucial to educate the public about this epidemic. Dr. Kenneth Thompson, Medical Director of Caron Treatment Centers Just because a drug is approved by the government, prescribed by a doctor and taken by your parents doesn t mean it s safe for you to put in your body. If taken as prescribed, prescription medicine can heal. If taken for kicks and to get high, however, it can take you to the depths of hell and leave you stuck there. Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, Addictions Therapist with Caron Treatment Centers There is a serious lack of awareness about the dangers of medicine abuse. Whether taking prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, young people are increasingly abusing medications that they mistakenly perceive to be safe. As a result, we are seeing more and more devastation, including addiction and sometimes death. Parents misunderstand the risk that their medicine cabinet can pose to their children. It s imperative that awareness is brought to the seriousness of this issue. Mylene Krzanowski, Executive Director, Caron Student Assistant Program Voices of Our Partners 4

5 Cardinal Health: Being part of this project is a natural extension of Cardinal Health s work to support community education about this growing public health problem through our GenerationRx program. We are committed to helping fight this epidemic - awareness, education and collaboration are essential to stopping the problem before it starts. George Barrett, Chairman and CEO, Cardinal Health Consumer Healthcare Products Association: The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has long supported national educational efforts to curb teen over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine abuse through its StopMedicineAbuse. org education campaign and Five Moms blog, and we are proud to be a partner of The Medicine Abuse Project. Medicine abuse is not just a problem for one parent or one household to address alone it is a nationwide concern affecting communities across the country. We must all work together to stop it. Millions of Americans responsibly use and rely on OTC cough medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to relieve their cough. What many parents don t know, however, is that five percent of teens report abusing OTC cough medicines to get high and about one in three teens have friends who use/have used OTC cough medicine to get high. Many teens report taking 25 times or more the recommended dose of these medicines, which means they may be ingesting multiple packages or bottles of cough medicines. This year, CHPA and The Partnership at Drugfree.org launched a digital and social media-based prevention initiative targeting teens searching online for information on how to abuse DXM. Through YouTube videos and other online creative, we are penetrating this exposed segment of teens with dissuasive, innovative, peer-to-peer messaging and imagery. As a partner of The Medicine Abuse Project, CHPA seeks to alert families of the potential for OTC cough medicines to be abused and to mobilize parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of all medicine abuse including OTC cough medicines and to monitor the medicines in their home. We encourage parents and community leaders to visit our website, StopMedicineAbuse.org, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages to learn more about this issue and how to spread awareness in your community. Scott Melville, President and CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Association CVS Caremark: As a pharmacy innovation company, CVS Caremark has a responsibility to help educate the public about medication abuse and the importance of safeguarding medications from inappropriate use. We are pleased to be working with The Partnership at Drugfree.org on The Medicine Abuse Project as we help people on their path to better health. Larry Merlo, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Caremark Voices of Our Partners 5

6 Endo Health Solutions: Endo Health Solutions continues to demonstrate its commitment to making safe and effective pain management therapies available to the estimated 100 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain, while working to reduce abuse and misuse of its products. Just this year, Endo introduced a new formulation Opana ER (oxymorphone HCl), an extended release tablet, made with INTAC Technology and designed to be crush resistant. Kevin Wiggins, Corporate Communications Leader, Endo Health Solutions HC DrugFree: HC DrugFree is pleased to join with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to launch The Medicine Abuse Project. Throughout the week of September 23-29, HC DrugFree will partner with local sponsors and organizations to provide free events and timely information in an attempt to educate the community about the dangers of youth prescription drug abuse. Joan Webb Scornaienchi, Executive Director, HC DrugFree IACLEA: As the leading authority for campus public safety, IACLEA and its members are committed to doing our part to prevent substance abuse and educate the campus community about the harmful effects of medicine abuse. Anne P. Glavin, IACLEA President and Chief of Police and Director of Police Services, California State University, Northridge. Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Safety remains at the core of Jazz Pharmaceuticals mission as a specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on rare and difficult to treat diseases. At the same time, we understand the importance of incorporating systems to ensure the safe and appropriate use of our products. Reinforcing our commitment to patient and public safety, Jazz Pharmaceuticals is proud to support the Medicine Abuse Project education initiative and join in this important collaborative effort to prevent and combat medicine abuse. Bruce Cozadd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien: As a parent, I m proud that Mallinckrodt is sponsoring an initiative that works to prevent and end abuse of prescription pain medicines by relying on those our children trust the most parents, grandparents, loved ones, and educators. Among the most effective tools we have to fight substance abuse, including prescription drugs, are collaboration and education at the community level. Mark Trudeau, President, Mallinckrodt Voices of Our Partners 6

7 Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse: Too many young people are experimenting with and abusing prescription medicine without knowing the deadly consequences. Furthermore, their parents are not aware either. It is an epidemic of this generation-it s never been seen before. It is time to wake up to medicine abuse, before it is too late for your family. Kathy Creedon, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse National Association of Drug Court Professionals: Drug Courts refer more people to treatment than any other system in America. Today, they are on the front lines of the prescription drug abuse epidemic. Front-end solutions such as prevention and education are critical. But we must also recognize that prescription drug abuse is pervasive and destructive. When addiction leads to arrest be it a veteran, mother, grandparent, or teen we must ensure that Drug Courts are available to get people the treatment they need to reclaim their lives and once again be productive citizens. West Huddleston, CEO, National Association of Drug Court Professionals National Association of School Nurses: The National Association of School Nurses is committed to waking up students and parents to the realities of medicine abuse. Connecting with students every day uniquely positions school nurses to raise awareness of the various types of medicine abuse, and to be a constant resource for students and their families. The prevention of medicine abuse is an important part of what school nurses do to help students stay safe, healthy and ready to learn. Linda Davis-Alldritt, President, National Association of School Nurses National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse: Prescription drug abuse is having a devastating impact on communities throughout America. The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA) is very grateful that the Partnership at Drugfree.org has established The Medicine Abuse Project, which is the first initiative of its kind to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic on a national level. Dozens of lives are needlessly lost every day to prescription drug overdoses and parent and youth education is a key component to saving our youth from overdose deaths or a lifetime of addiction. NCAPDA is very pleased to be a strategic partner supporting The Medicine Abuse Project, which we feel has the potential to make a significant impact in curbing this national epidemic. April Rovero, Founder & CEO, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse Voices of Our Partners 7

8 National Institute on Drug Abuse: Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem, but one that deserves urgent attention. In the past year, about one in nine young people aged abused prescription drugs. Unfortunately, many people do not appreciate that some prescription drugs, such as prescription pain relievers and stimulants, can act in the brain in ways similar to drugs of abuse like heroin and cocaine. Thus, the consequences of medication abuse can also be similar, including the possibility of addiction, overdose and even death. Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition: The Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition is dedicated to working with everyone in our community, to reduce the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse. Jeff Kadel, Executive Director, Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition Partnership at DrugFreeIowa.org Children are most vulnerable when ushered into an adult world without adequate guidance. It s worse than that - the vulnerability of children is being exploited by a plethora of media messages that confuse the difference between medical practice and lifestyle, with dangerous consequences. Children are not stupid, they are vulnerable, and it is up to us to give them the information they need to make the right choices. Peter Komendowski, President, The Partnership at DrugFreeIowa.org Based on several measurements, prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest growing forms of substance abuse in Iowa, said Steve Lukan, Director of the Governor s Office of Drug Control Policy. Calls to Iowa s Poison Center seeking help with prescription pain relievers rose almost 2,300 percent over the last decade, and Iowa drug overdose deaths from prescription pain relievers increased nearly 1,500 percent during the same time, to 62 in Steve Lukan, Director, Governor s Office of Drug Control Policy Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA): The prescription drug abuse epidemic must be fought and while the biopharmaceutical research industry has sought to combat it, power is in collaboration. The Medicine Abuse Project brings together multiple groups who share a commitment to preventing prescription drug abuse and my hope is that this new effort will have a marked and immediate effect on the current trend of prescription drug abuse, which continues to ravage our communities. John J. Castellani, CEO & President of PhRMA Voices of Our Partners 8

9 Purdue Pharma: We applaud The Partnership at Drugfree.org for its efforts to rally together organizations that have a stake in combatting prescription drug abuse. As part of our RxSafetyMatters program, we working with healthcare professionals, law enforcement and anti-drug abuse organizations like The Partnership at Drugfree.org to prevent the abuse of prescription medications while making sure these medicines remain available for the patients who need them. John H. Stewart, President and CEO of Purdue Pharma Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program: Millions of Americans use prescription medications safely and responsibly. However, increased availability and variety of medications with psychoactive effects have contributed to prescription medicine misuse, abuse, dependence and addiction. In Schuylkill County there is a growing problem with the misuse/abuse of prescription medication, as noted by the Pennsylvania Youth Survey. The Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program is partnering with Drugfree.org and local pharmacies to present the Medicine Abuse Project. The goal of this project is to help raise awareness and educate the public on safe and effective management of prescription medication. In conjunction with this project, the DEA will be sponsoring a Drug Take-Back on September 29th, and there will be several drop-off sites throughout the county to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescriptions. Melissa Chewey, Program Administrator, Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program Teva: Prescription medicines play an important role in the treatment of serious health conditions, and often save lives. However, these good medicines, if abused or used inappropriately, can also cause harm. At Teva, we are aware of the growing misuse of prescription medicines. One of the best methods for preventing this abuse is to safeguard and dispose of medicines properly. We believe strongly in the important work that the Partnership at Drugfree.org is conducting. Teva is pleased to be a partner in the campaign to heighten awareness of the risks associated with abuse and to help educate the public about how proper disposal may contribute to the solution. Debra Barrett, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs The American College of Preventive Medicine: The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is proud to lend its support to The Partnership at Drugfree.org s Medicine Abuse Project. This national campaign, the first of its kind, will focus a sharp spotlight on the alarming rate of abuse and misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications in communities across the country. Preventive medicine physicians, trained to work at the nexus of public health and medicine, are working to arrest this public health epidemic by advancing effective provider-engagement tools designed to improve population health. Deaths from misuse and abuse of these medications can be prevented and we welcome the opportunity to help realize this goal through our partnership with The Medicine Abuse Project. Miriam A. Alexander, MD, MPH, FACPM, President, American College of Preventive Medicine Voices of Our Partners 9

10 The Governor s Prevention Partnership: In Connecticut we are working diligently with our partners to address the problem of medicine abuse. We have many resources in place throughout the state, that are working to halt this growing issue and The Medicine Abuse Project is a great complement to those resources. Jill Spineti, President & CEO, The Governor s Prevention Partnership Watson Pharmaceuticals: As a leading provider of prescription pain medications, Watson is proud to be part of this initiative. Watson believes education is critical regarding protecting products in the consumer s medicine cabinet from potential abuse, including the proper disposal of unused medications which represents a major source of medicines that are so frequently abused. As part of the generic industry, we have worked to educate Congress and other stakeholders about the need to educate consumers about the many aspects of this complex problem, and ways that we all can take steps to address prescription drug abuse. Paul Bisaro, President and CEO, Watson Pharmaceuticals White House Office of National Drug Control Policy: Prescription drug abuse in America has reached the level of an epidemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That s why the Obama Administration is laser-focused on educating citizens especially young people about the dangers of abusing medicines. A recent study revealed that nearly 70% of people who abuse prescription medicine for the first time acquire those drugs from a friend or relative, underscoring the importance of properly disposing of unneeded medicine in the home. Through education, monitoring, enforcement and proper pill disposal, we can turn the tide on this national epidemic. Gil Kerlikowske, Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Voices of Our Partners 10