An estimated 15 percent of adults in America—millions of people—suffer with pain that lasts more than three months, and for many, prescription opioid pain medicines are an important part of their treatment. However, when these medications—safe when used as directed, under the supervision of a physician—fall into the hands of those without a prescription, they can be as dangerous as street drugs.

Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your community from abusing prescription opioid medicines by joining a free webcast, When Good Medicines Become Bad Drugs. Join the discussion live on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, from 3-4 pm EDT.

Get the facts on:

• How and why good medicines become bad drugs
• The value to pain patients and risks to others of prescription opioid medicines
• How to educate yourself, your children, friends and family about these risks
• Tips for safeguarding, storing and disposing of prescription medications at home
• And more

The webcast discussion is moderated by General Barry R. McCaffrey, former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and will feature a panel of expert speakers.

Register here to view the webcast (http://video.webcasts.com/events/vxmd001/28151/) sponsored by Cephalon, Inc.