The American Medicine Chest Challenge will take place at 100 collection centers throughout New Jersey on Saturday. The community based initiative hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
The abuse of prescription medication now ranks second behind marijuana as the most common drug problem in the United States, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
At a news conference announcing the event, 19-year-old Corey Stevens shared his story of prescription drug addiction. By the age of 17, Stevens was stealing Oxycontin pills from his grandfather, who at the time was battling skin cancer.
"It was surprisingly easy. But I think about it now – it’s terrible," said Stevens, who is currently in a New Jersey drug treatment center.
In Essex County, New Jersey, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said his narcotics bureau has seized 44,000 doses of prescription drugs in the area in the past 15 months.
"Increasingly, we are seeing more and more prescription drugs for sale on our streets," said Fontoura. The problem extends to teenagers, who can "access these drugs in the comfort and privacy of their homes. It’s as easy as opening a cupboard, a drawer or a medicine cabinet."
