American Families Challenged to Tackle Prescription Drug Misuse
Free, Safe Medicine Disposal Locations Available Throughout the Nation
Millburn, NJ, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, November 8, communities throughout the United States will participate in the 17th Annual American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) Day of Awareness of Prescription Drugs and Safe Disposal, a national public health initiative to increase understanding about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and encourage safe disposal of prescription drugs.
In January 2025, the CDC estimated that during the previous 12 months, 83,138 Americans died from drug overdoses. While this marks a sharp decline from the peak of 114,664 deaths in August 2023, it still represents an increase of 1,400 deaths compared to the previous year.
“These numbers are a sobering reminder that while progress is being made, the opioid crisis is far from over,” said Angelo M. Valente, CEO of the American Medicine Chest Challenge. “Even one life lost is too many, and we must remain relentless in our efforts to prevent misuse, raise awareness, and support those on the path to recovery.”
The five steps of AMCC include taking inventory of medicine; securing medicine chests; taking medicine only as prescribed; safely disposing of unused, unwanted and expired medicine; and, most importantly, talking to children about the dangers of prescription drugs.
“The American Medicine Chest Challenge can help save the lives of our children,” Valente said. “We know that many teens who misuse opioids get them from the medicine cabinets of their friends and families, so it is crucial for families to safeguard medicine within their homes.”
The American Medicine Chest Challenge is the home of the national registry of permanent collection sites where people can safely dispose of their unwanted, expired and unused medicine. Nearly 2,000 permanent drop-off locations exist in 47 states and Washington, D.C. To find a site, visit the newly updated AmericanMedicineChest.com.
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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 232 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.
Lisa Batitto Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey 973-467-2100 news@drugfreenj.org
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