The Partnership at Drugfree.org Announces New Public/Private Partnership: "Wake Up to Medicine Abuse"

~ News of First-of-its-Kind National Campaign and Call to Action Presented at Operation UNITE's National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Florida ~

NEW YORK, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Partnership at Drugfree.org, in collaboration with Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceutical business of Covidien, Cardinal Health and PhRMA, today announced a first-of-its-kind, week-long public awareness campaign, "Wake Up to Medicine Abuse." This initiative will bring the public and private sectors together in a national education effort and call-to-action to curb the abuse of medicine, one of the biggest drug problems in the United States today.

"Wake Up to Medicine Abuse Week" will take place September 23-29, 2012, and will both encourage and help parents and the public-at-large to take action: first, by talking with the kids in their lives about the dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and second, by safeguarding and properly disposing of unused medications.

The consequences of medicine abuse, including emergency room episodes, treatment admissions and overdose deaths, have increased dramatically, and it is a behavior that is starting in adolescence. Every day, 2,500 teens use a prescription drug to get high for the first time,[1] and the death toll from prescription painkillers alone has tripled in the past decade.[2] Due to these high levels of prescription drug abuse, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in about a third of the states, outpacing fatalities from car accidents. If the human toll were not enough, all of this is an enormous drain on the nation's economy, with the health care costs related to this behavior estimated at more than $72 billion annually.[3]

"Up to this point, national efforts to prevent the intentional abuse of medicine have been inadequate given the scope of the problem and human toll this abuse behavior is taking. In announcing 'Wake Up to Medicine Abuse,' The Partnership at Drugfree.org and our partners are taking a first step together, calling on all public and private sector organizations with a stake in this problem – federal agencies, state and local governments, distributors, drug stores, medical societies and both the branded and generic pharmaceutical industry – to join with us in this concerted effort and call to action to reduce this dangerous behavior," said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org.

The need for a public-private prevention effort related to medicine abuse has been well documented recently in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan, calling for a four-pillar approach. The plan includes public education, prescription monitoring, proper medication disposal and enforcement/elimination of improper prescribing and dispensing practices.

Those points were emphasized by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin in her April 10 presentation at Operation UNITE's National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Orlando, Florida.

"Abuse of prescription drugs is a bigger problem in the United States than most people realize, especially among youth," said Dr. Benjamin. "We have to make our parents, our educators, our health professionals, our legislators and most importantly, adolescents themselves, aware of the pervasiveness of prescription drug abuse and its harmful consequences...Education is a crucial first step in tackling this problem."

Pasierb added, "This intensive week is an important step to convey the message that abusing medicine can be just as addictive and just as deadly as abusing illicit street drugs. We will call on parents to talk with their kids about this dangerous behavior by using research-based information and tips we will provide, and encourage everyone to both secure current medicines and properly dispose of old medications. Without a major public mobilization effort that can eventually be sustained year-round, we are not going to be able to move the needle on this deadly epidemic."

Through a destination website where visitors can learn more about the problem and what they can do, new public service announcements, and public outreach, education and events, "Wake Up to Medicine Abuse Week" will shine a spotlight on this public health crisis, including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

"We must end abuse and illicit diversion of prescription pain medications by increasing awareness, expanding education, fostering collaboration and promoting innovation," said Mark Trudeau, President, Mallinckrodt. "Together, through campaigns like 'Wake Up to Medicine Abuse,' we can ensure that only legitimate patients have access to and appropriately use these important therapies."

"We're pleased to collaborate with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to help Americans better understand the dangers of prescription drug abuse," said George Barrett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Health. "Our participation in the 'Wake Up to Medicine Abuse' campaign is a natural extension of our GenerationRx outreach and education program and our community-based Medication Disposal Days." For more information on GenerationRx, visit www.CardinalHealth.com/GenerationRx.

"Prescription drug abuse has a broad spectrum of causes and every stakeholder involved must continue working together to alleviate such a widespread issue," said John J. Castellani, CEO and President of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). "PhRMA has had a long, positive relationship with The Partnership at Drugfree.org, and the newly announced 'Wake Up To Medicine Abuse' week reflects our enduring commitment to help prevent prescription drug abuse and educate patients on how to safely use and dispose of their medicines."

About The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Ninety percent of addictions start in the teenage years. The Partnership at Drugfree.org is dedicated to helping families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. Bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts and communications professionals, this public health nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, parenting, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources at drugfree.org. Its You Are Not Alone campaign is dedicated to supporting families of the 11 million teens and young adults who need addiction treatment, while the organization's community education programs reach families at the grassroots level. The Partnership at Drugfree.org's mission to help parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector. We are thankful to SAG/AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Mallinckrodt, the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien, manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients, opioid pain medications, bulk acetaminophen, and nuclear and contrast media diagnostic agents. Sales in 2011 were $1.97 billion. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $103 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving quality. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com and @CardinalHealth on Twitter.

About PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $49.4 billion in 2010 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $67.4 billion in 2010.

[1] United States Drug Enforcement Administration

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[3] ibid

SOURCE The Partnership at Drugfree.org