Medicine Abuse Project Town Hall Breakfast

Medicine Abuse Forum to Protect Youth and Families

Columbia, MD (September 12, 2012)—Joan Webb Scornaienchi, Executive Director of HC DrugFree and Proove Biosciences, Inc., along with The Partnership at Drugfree.org announces that the national Medicine Abuse Project Educational Campaign will have local partners in Howard County. This campaign is a multi-year effort to raise awareness and curb the abuse of medicine.

A free kickoff breakfast and town hall meeting will be held on Saturday, September 29th from 8:00 am-9:30 am at the Florence Bain Senior Center in the Village of Harpers Choice. The program will consist of an expert panel and community discussion, a short video and educational materials. Drug Free Charlie, a clown who educates young children about the dangers of drug abuse, will provide a musical and interactive presentation to elementary-aged children. We encourage families or interested persons to attend.

The panel discussion will be led by Joan Webb Scornaienchi, Executive Director of HC DrugFree; The Honorable William Tucker, Judge, Howard County Circuit Court; Lieutenant Glenn Case, Commander-Vice and Narcotics for the Howard County Police Department; and Dudley Greer, Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for the Howard County Health Department. This event is being held on National Take Back Day, an event whereby individuals can turn in unused and unwanted medications for proper disposal. The Bain Center is one of several locations around Howard County disposing of medications appropriately.

“The majority of teens who abuse medicines get them from family and friends,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership for Drugfree.org. “We need to change that. With the support of partners like HC DrugFree and Proove Biosciences, physicians, parents and teens themselves will be more aware of the dangers of medicine abuse.”

Scornaienchi explains that “HC DrugFree is committed to helping youth avoid alcohol and drugs, and the rise of prescription medication abuse is alarming and sometimes unknown to many families.” Additionally, she states, “We are bringing other community agencies, such as the police and health department, into this effort and look forward to kicking off a sustainable effort to raise awareness of this increasing form of drug abuse in our community.”

Brian Meshkin of Proove Biosciences states, “We are honored to partner with HC DrugFree and other community groups to bring this important national campaign to Howard County. Health and wellness is such an important issue for our community. Howard County is an exceptional community deserving of national expertise. The abuse of medications is one of the largest threats to our youth and families. We must provide educational resources to empower people to make good choices and this town hall meeting is a great kick-off event.”

For more information about HC DrugFree and to view the Drug Take Back locations, visit www.HCDrugFree.org.

For more information on the Partnership at Drugfree.org, please visit www.drugfree.org

For more information on the Medicine Abuse Project, visit www.drugfee.org/medicineabuse

For more information on Proove Biosciences, Inc., visit www.proovebio.com