Indiana Youth Create Public Service Announcements to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse

Strategic Insights -

Youth from across Indiana, aged 12-17, combined their creativity with public health awareness to create video public service announcements (PSAs) about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The second annual KeepRxSafe.com PSA Contest drew over 70 submissions, with Evan Trout, from Fishers, Ind., winning the contest with his 30-second video "ER visits." The contest aimed to raise awareness among young people about the risks of using prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription, a growing concern in Indiana.

Key Takeaways:

  • The KeepRxSafe.com PSA Contest, organized by Indiana University's Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC), engaged over 70 youth in creating PSAs about prescription drug abuse.
  • The contest winner, Evan Trout, created a 30-second video titled "ER visits" that can be viewed on the KeepRxSafe.com website.
  • The PSA contest is a unique effort to involve youth in spreading awareness about the hazards of prescription drug abuse.
  • According to the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), one in every five high school students has taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
  • The IPRC aims to decrease prescription drug abuse in Indiana by educating youth about proper medication use.
  • The contest judges included a physician, pharmacist, television producers, a researcher, and an Indiana University undergraduate student.
  • Prize sponsors included Bloomington Hospital, Outback Steakhouse, Flip Video, Kroger, IU Auditorium, and Eastman Kodak.
  • The top PSAs are featured on the website www.keeprxsafe.com.
  • The website provides free information, tools, and resources for Indiana residents about proper prescription drug use.
  • The IPRC is working with Family and Social Services Administration/Division of Mental Health and Addiction to fund the website andother initiatives.

Statistics:

  • One in every five high school students has taken a prescription drug such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin, or Xanax without a doctor's prescription. (National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009)
  • More than 22 percent of high school students in Indiana reported use of similar drugs without a prescription at some time in their lives. (National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009)
  • 12.4 percent of Indiana ninth- through 12th-graders reported that they used a prescription drug in the past 30 days. (National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009)

Sources:

  • Indiana University - Bloomington
  • Indiana Prevention Resource Center
  • National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
  • Family and Social Services Administration/Division of Mental Health and Addiction