The Mario Do Right Foundation joins The Partnership at Drugfree.org for The Medicine Abuse Project

BALTIMORE - March 27, 2013 - PRLog -- The Mario Do Right Foundation has joined as a strategic partner with The Partnership at Drugfree.org in addressing teen abuse of prescription drugs and over-the counter cough syrup in support of The Medicine Abuse Project. This union supports The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s efforts to end the devastating effects of a new drug dealer; your medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription drug abuse is an epidemic. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically. Some individuals who misuse prescription drugs, particularly teens, believe these substances are safer than illegal drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare professional. Prescription drugs are intended to be taken under a
doctor's direction. Studies have proven if used improperly, they can be dangerous and even lead to death.

Research conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org shows parents are not communicating the risks of prescription medicine abuse to their children. Instead, they tend to talk more about illegal street drugs. This is partly because some parents are unaware of the behavior and the effects of teen medicine abuse. Parents tend to underestimate the risks of the abuse as well as
teens. The Mario Do Right Foundation will work with The Partnership at Drugfree.org to educate parents on prescription drug abuse and how this trend is devastating to teenagers across America. While some teens abuse medicine to party and get high, many are using medicine to manage stress or regulate their lives. “We are educating parents so that they’ll be more cautious andknowledgeable of what’s going on so that they have the ability to protect their children from prescription drug abuse,” says Grammy nominated singer Mario Barrett, Founder of The
Mario Do Right Foundation.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org translates the science of teen drug use and addiction for families. At www.drugfree.org, you can find information to help prevent drug abuse and ways to get help for drug and alcohol abuse for youth and young adults. The mission of the Mario Do Right Foundation is to educate, mentor and support youth adversely affected by substance abuse in their homes and communities. Mario Barrett, Founder of the Mario Do Right Foundation, is excited about the partnership stating “I really appreciate the work The Partnership at Drugfree.org is doing for families and teens across America.”

"The Partnership at Drugfree.org is thrilled to partner with Mario Barrett and The Mario Do Right Foundation,” said Marcia Lee Taylor, SVP, Director of Government Affairs for The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Mario has had an incredibly positive influence not only in his community of
Baltimore, but also to a national audience of youth and young adults, and we're excited to add his voice to our efforts to end teen medicine abuse."

For more information on the foundation visit www.mariodoright.org or contact The Mario Do
Right Foundation President and Co-founder Kevin Shird, via email at kshird@mariodoright.org or
by phone at (410) 294-4347 (tel:%28410%29%20294-4347). For more information about The Medicine Abuse Project visit
www.medicineabuseproject.org.