NADDI and the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance Co-Sponsor Successful Drug Take Back Day

Two and a half tons of unused medications dropped off at more than 80 Florida locations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Floridians turned in nearly 5,500 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medicines at more than 80 pharmacies and law enforcement offices throughout the state during the Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, August 27, more than doubling the amount dropped off at 38 sites last year. As co-sponsors of the Drug Take Back Day, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) and the C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating and Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) Alliance, joined Attorney General Pam Bondi to support this program addressing a serious public health issue in Florida – prescription drug abuse.

"The Drug Take Back Day addressed a very important public safety and health issue in Florida and was a success thanks to the large turnout of people ridding their medicine cabinets of unused or unwanted drugs," Charlie Cichon, Executive Director of NADDI. "It really shows how individuals can play a role in alleviating this major problem."

NADDI facilitates cooperation and collaboration on many levels between a wide variety of organizations and law enforcement officials in the prevention and investigation of prescription drug diversion. NADDI was an early participant in the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance, a coalition focused on reducing opioid pain medication abuse and increasing responsible prescribing habits.

"The success of the Drug Take Back Day demonstrates how we must collaborate at the local and state levels to combat prescription drug abuse," said C.A.R.E.S. Alliance representative Herbert Neuman, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer – Pharmaceuticals for Covidien. "By working together, we not only disposed of unused medications, but also helped educate Floridians about the seriousness of prescription drug misuse and abuse. I am confident this is a step in the right direction toward developing a successful long-term solution to this growing problem."

In addition to co-sponsoring the Florida Drug Take Back Day, the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance, a growing coalition of ten national patient safety, provider and drug diversion organizations, has ongoing programs and initiatives focused on curbing prescription drug abuse and misuse. The coalition's comprehensive website (www.caresalliance.org) provides information and tools for physicians, pharmacists, patients and their families. Physicians and pharmacists can find information for prescribing, screening and assessing patients, and patients and their families can find tips for the safe use and handling of their medications.

To learn more about upcoming initiatives and information to combat prescription drug abuse, visit www.naddi.org or www.caresalliance.org.

About NADDI
NADDI is a non-profit 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.

About the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance
Launched in September 2010, the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance is a growing coalition of ten national patient safety, provider and drug diversion organizations focused on reducing opioid pain medication abuse and increasing responsible prescribing habits. The C.A.R.E.S. Alliance was created by Covidien, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, to ensure the safe use of all opioid pain medications by collaboratively developing and sharing tools and resources for all stakeholders.  

SOURCE NADDI