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Bono Mack Highlights National ‘Lock Your Meds’ Day
Calls on Parents to take a stand against prescription drug abuse among children and teens
Washington,
Oct 27 -
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today urged parents across the country to participate in National “Lock Your Meds” Day. This occasion is a part of the 24th annual Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug abuse prevention program in the United States. A recognized leader in the effort to prevent prescription drug abuse among youth, Bono Mack issued the following statement:
“Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and it’s time that we as parents and as a community take a stand against this problem that is affecting the lives and futures of our children,” said Bono Mack. “All too often, highly dangerous and addictive drugs are easily accessible in the family medicine cabinet. Parents need to be aware of this problem and keep these substances out of the hands of their children.”
Bono Mack notes that over half (56%) of people 12 years old and older who abuse prescription drugs got them from friends or relatives, and only 4.7% obtained the drugs from a stranger, drug dealer or on the Internet.
Bono Mack highlights the following steps parents and family members can take to prevent teen prescription drug abuse, as identified by the National Family Partnership (NFP):
- Lock your prescription medication and prevent abuse or misuse by securing the medication in your home.
- Take inventory of your current medications and periodically check that nothing is missing.
- Educate yourself and your children about the most commonly abused types of prescription medications and communicate the dangers to your child regularly.
- Set clear rules and monitor behavior by expressing your disapproval of using prescription drugs without a prescription.
- Properly dispose of old and unused medications.
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