WASHINGTON, DC - Today,U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) sent a letter to the President and CEO of Urban Outfitters, Richard Hayne, urging the Fortune 500 company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to remove its controversial product line of flasks, shot glasses and pint glasses designed to look like prescription pill bottles.

"For a company with sales of $2.79 billion in 2012 to trivialize the pain and suffering of those struggling with addiction is tasteless at best, but irresponsible at worst," stated Rogers in the letter. "I fear the sale of these items could have the unfortunate consequence of leading more teens to seek out prescription meds, or even worse, an increase in prescription drug related overdoses. I would encourage you to remove these items from the shelves immediately so as not to contribute to this epidemic."

In the letter, Rogers noted that someone dies every 15 minutes from a prescription drug overdose in the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has characterized this problem as a national epidemic. Rogers says the company has simply gone too far.

"While I understand that your company's business model is predicated on the sale of controversial products, I believe marketing products to young people with an explicit allusion to the misuse of prescription medicines is simply a bridge too far," said Rogers, co-founder of the Congressional Causus on Prescription Drug Abuse.

Click here to read Rogers' letter to Urban Outfitters.

In 2009, Rogers joined with former Representative Mary Bono Mack to form the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit http://halrogers.house.gov or follow Rogers on Twitter and Facebook.

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