National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators Joins Federal Initiative to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) has joined with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse by collecting and disposing of expired or unused medications.
Jo-Ellen Abou Nader, president of NADDI's Missouri chapter — the newest and 21st state affiliate — said it's a life-or-death issue: "Accidental prescription drug overdose is the second leading cause of accidental death in the nation."
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29, when many police stations throughout the country will host collection sites for the public to drop off expired or unused prescriptions. As part of this initiative, several area police stations in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and the Metro East will act as collection sites for the public to drop off expired or unused prescriptions. NADDI is working with the DEA in promoting and coordinating the effort.
Abou Nader is senior director of program integrity at the St. Louis headquarters of Express Scripts, one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers. "We want to do everything we can to keep prescription drugs safe," she said. "Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Removing unused drugs from the home could save your loved ones from injury or death."
State NADDI chapters lead efforts to educate law enforcement, the pharmaceutical industry, health regulatory personnel, as well as the general public on the safe, legal use of prescription drugs. In her role at Express Scripts, Abou Nader spearheads the company's efforts to detect and prevent prescription drug waste, fraud and abuse.
For a complete list of National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative drop-off sites, please go to: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html
About the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Inc.
The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the investigation and prevention of prescription drug abuse and diversion. NADDI also sponsors and conducts specialized educational seminars and conferences. For more information, go to http://naddi.associationdatabase.com/aws/NADDI/pt/sp/home_page/.
Media Contact: Thom Gross
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SOURCE NADDI
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