Cardinal Health Foundation Invites Local Non-profit Organizations To Apply For Grants To Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

DUBLIN, Ohio, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, the Cardinal Health Foundation is inviting non-profit organizations in seven U.S. cities and Puerto Rico to apply for grant funding to support local efforts to prevent the abuse and misuse of prescription medications.

In an effort to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic in America, the Cardinal Health Foundation encourages grassroots efforts to raise awareness and promote education and prevention of this public health issue. This grant program will provide funding to non-profit organizations to target prescription drugs misuse and abuse in their community.

Specifically, this grant program is intended to reduce the misuse or abuse of prescription medications by youth, adults and the elderly. To help achieve this goal, Cardinal Health is funding programs that are aimed at increasing awareness of the prescription drug abuse issue; increasing knowledge of how to reduce access to prescription drugs and proper disposal; and increasing awareness of the consequences of misusing or abusing prescription medications.

Registered 501(c)(3) organizations in the following cities – which have a high concentration of Cardinal Health employees – are invited to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 - $15,000:

• Albuquerque, N.M.
• Central Ohio
• El Paso, Texas
• LaVergne, Tenn.
• Little Rock, Ark.
• Northern Chicago, Ill. (Lake, McHenry and Kenosha counties)
• Radcliff, Ken.
• Puerto Rico

Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate into their proposals the use of the comprehensive suite of GenerationRx prescription drug abuse awareness materials, developed by the Cardinal Health Foundation and The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and available at www.cardinalhealth.com/generationrx.  These materials provide health care providers, pharmacists, parents, teachers, youth group leaders and other concerned citizens unique, interactive resources to educate teens, adults and the elderly about the realities and dangers of prescription drug abuse and misuse.

"This grant funding will empower grassroots initiatives to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse to a variety of audiences, so we can stop this deadly activity before it starts," said Jessica Lineberger, community relations manager for Cardinal Health.

Interested applicants can find complete grant program criteria and can apply for grant funding online at www.cardinalhealth.com/community.  The deadline for applications is May 11. 

About the Cardinal Health Foundation

The Cardinal Health Foundation supports local, national and international programs that improve health care efficiency, effectiveness and excellence and the overall wellness of the communities where Cardinal Health's (NYSE: CAH) 30,000 employees live and work. The Cardinal Health Foundation also offers grants to encourage community service among its employees and works through international agencies to donate much-needed medical supplies and funding to those who need them in times of disaster. To learn more, visit CardinalHealth.com/community.

SOURCE Cardinal Health Foundation