A leading discount travel site, released the March 2012 Hotwire Travel Savings Indicator, which features the top five cities in North America where hotel, air and car rental rates have dropped the most compared to this time last year.

“As we exit winter and temperatures begin to rise we’re seeing warm-weather locales like Southern California and Dallas offering great prices to entice travelers looking to get a head start on their spring vacations,” said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. “We’re also happy to report that one of the top value cities on our recently released 2012 Travel Value Index – Albuquerque – is proving its worth with big decreases in air and car rental prices this month.”

Atlantic City tops the hotel list this month with a 21% price drop. The beginning of the year tends to be slow for the Vegas of the East, so hotels always offer deeper discounts to fill their rooms. However this year, several new properties have been causing some stiff competition in the area, resulting in even lower rates.

In 2011 Dallas hosted the Super Bowl, causing hotel prices to skyrocket. This year, however, new hotels have increased the number of hotel rooms, driving down prices and putting the Dallas-Fort Worth area at second place with a 15 percent decrease.
Reno-Tahoe, Halifax and Washington, D.C., round out the list.

Last month Reno-Tahoe topped this list at first place, and although it drops to third in March with a 12 percent price drop, the city continues to be a deal market due to a weak winter demand. Halifax, Nova Scotia, makes its debut on the Travel Savings Indicator with a nine percent price drop.

Known as a beautiful leisure destination in Canada, the city is experiencing a slower tourist season than usual due to the cold winter weather. Washington DC makes a welcome return to round out the top five as the city is experiencing a lighter legislative calendar than last year, prompting less business travel and a dip in prices, especially during midweek.

Those in need of sunshine are in luck, because sunny Southern California is a deal market for airfare this month. Palm Springs tops the list with a 13% price drop and Los Angeles boasts an 11% decrease.

Chicago maintains its presence for the second consecutive month with a 13% decrease and an overall value city for 2012 as reflected in Hotwire’s Travel Value Index, Albuquerque saw an 11% decrease this month. Baltimore rounds out the top five air decreases with a seven percent price drop.

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A national coalition dedicated to fighting abuse and misuse of prescription pain medication is inviting area residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medicines at any of six local pharmacies on February 18, 2012.  Sponsored by the Collaborating and Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety (C.A.R.E.S.) Alliance (SM), the event comes as pain medicine providers prepare to convene here February 23-26 for the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s annual meeting.

Statistics from the California Department of Health show that the number of emergency room visits in Riverside County related to prescription painkillers jumped by more than 50 percent from 2006 to 2009, illustrating one way the national crisis of abuse and misuse of prescription medication has manifested itself locally.

“Hundreds of people in our community have been affected by prescription drug abuse and misuse, and this event allows local residents to be part of the solution,” said Sergeant Mike Kovaleff, Palm Springs Police Department. “Disposing of unused or unwanted medications in a safe and secure environment is a critical step in fighting this devastating public health problem.”

The event is supported by the Palm Springs Police Department and is sponsored by the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance. The C.A.R.E.S. Alliance is a national coalition of 10 patient safety, provider and drug diversion organizations focused on reducing prescription medication abuse, misuse and diversion and on encouraging responsible prescribing habits.

C.A.R.E.S. Alliance members supporting the take-back day include the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), Project Lazarus and Covidien, a pharmaceutical manufacturer. The event is also being held in cooperation with the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

“Combating abuse and misuse of prescription drugs is everyone’s responsibility, as a matter of public safety,” said C.A.R.E.S. Alliance representative Sherice Mills, Manager, Medical Affairs, Pharmaceuticals for Covidien, which created the coalition. “A successful long-term solution can be found, but it requires collaboration to provide education for consumers and better resources for prescribers and pharmacists.”

On the C.A.R.E.S. Alliance’s website (www.caresalliance.org), physicians and pharmacists can find tools for prescribing, screening and assessing patients. Patients and their families can also find tips for the safe use and handling of their medications.

According to Charlie Cichon, Executive Director of NADDI, involvement from many different organizations and individuals is needed to address this complex issue. “We believe that collaboration through this and other initiatives will further the nation’s progress against the illegal diversion of legitimate prescription medicines, which many people do use appropriately,” he said.

Pharmacies throughout the area are participating in the Drug Take-back Day and will be accepting both unused and expired pills. No sharps, liquids or gels will be accepted. A full list of drop-off locations is available at www.caresalliance.org.

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