April Rovero Continuing to Raise Awareness of Prescription Drug Abuse

April Rovero of San Ramon, who heads the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, is continuing her mission to raise awareness of the danger of prescription drug abuse this month.

Rovero's son Joey would have turned 25 on Saturday, but his life was tragically cut short when he overdosed on a cocktail of prescription drugs while in college in 2009.

Three events are planned in the coming week as Rovero is working with State Sentator Mark DeSaulnier to permanently make March"Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month" in California.

Rovero has teamed up with Brendan Theaters in Concord to show the film "Behind the Orange Curtain" on Sunday at 2 p.m. The short movie is about the devastating impact prescription drug abuse has had in the Orange County area.

Senator DeSaulnier, the film's producer and several people who appear in the film will be at the event. Author and parent activist, Bradley DeHaven, will also be on hand before and after the viewing to autograph books he's written on this topic.

On Monday, people from around the state will gather at the State Capital for a "Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Rally.

The rally will go from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include a press conference at 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 19, a panel discussion at Monte Vista High School at 6 p.m. will feature experts talking about the risks you people face.

The discussion is directed at parents with kids in fourth grade or older and talk about issues like media influences, at risk groups and technology dangers.

Do you feel prescription drug abuse is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the Tri-Valley? Share your thoughts in the comments section.