By for Summit Medical Group

By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group

As part of the annual American Medicine Chest Challenge, Summit Medical Group successfully collected more than 100 pounds of unused medication on November 12, 2011. 

Data show that:

• Americans abuse prescription medications more than any other drugs, with the exception of marijuana
• As many as 70% of people who abuse prescription drugs get the drugs from friends and relatives
• 1 in 9 children in the United States abuse prescription pain relievers

Summit Medical Group and the Partnership for a Drug-free America want to encourage the safe storage and disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications with programs like the American Medicine Chest Challenge. 

For these reasons, the Group reminds everyone to:

• Take stock of prescription and nonprescription medications in your medicine chest and around your house
• Lock your medicine chest, particularly if you have children in the home
• Discard your unused, unwanted, and expired medications at the nearest American Medicine Chest Challenge disposal site
• Safely store the unwanted medications in a locked cabinet until you can dispose of them properly
• Always take your medications as prescribed
• Talk with your children about the dangers of prescription and nonprescription drug abuse

Summit Medical Group pharmacist Walter Cifuentes, RPh, says, "After participating in the American Medicine Chest Challenge for 2 consecutive years, we clearly see the need for a program that provides an alternative to keeping unwanted medications at home for years or throwing them away in the trash. Neither option is safe," says Mr. Cifuentes. "Summit Medical Group is pleased to be part of an initiative that helps make our community a safer place!" 

The Partnership for a Drug-free America and American College of Emergency Physicians provide national support for the American Medicine Chest Challenge.