TRENTON – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would designate every March as “Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month” in New Jersey.
“More Americans abuse prescription drugs than abuse cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin combined,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “There is a perception about pharmaceuticals that they are somehow safer than street drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor. If we want to reduce prescription drug addiction, people need to know that these drugs can be just as dangerous and just as addictive.”