"Medication Generation: Just Say Know" Empowers Local Teens to Make Informed Choices About Prescription Drug Use and Underage Drinking

Strategic Insights -

Local Detroit teens will gather at Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on April 18 for "Medication Generation: Just Say Know," an event designed to educate them about the dangers of nonmedical prescription drug use and underage drinking. The event, organized by the Wayne State University chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), Love Detroit Prevention Coalition, and the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Wayne State University, aims to provide high school students with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices about substance use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The event, "Medication Generation: Just Say Know," is a collaborative effort between Wayne State University, Love Detroit Prevention Coalition, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, and APhA-ASP to educate local teens about the risks of prescription drug and alcohol abuse.
  • The event will feature interactive educational activities, including a "Family Feud"-style game, skits, and role-playing scenarios, to engage Detroit-area high school students and encourage them to make wise choices.
  • Wayne State University student pharmacists will lead the educational activities, providing mentorship and guidance to participants.
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 52 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have used prescription drugs nonmedically in their lifetime.
  • A recent survey indicates that 23 percent of teens report having abused prescription medication at least once, and 31 percent think it is acceptable to use someone else's prescription as long as they are not getting high.
  • An alarming 73 percent of teens indicated that it is easy to get prescription drugs from their parents' medicine cabinets.
  • The event aims to empower young people to think critically about substance use and make informed choices that can have a long-term positive impact on their health.

Statistics:

  • 52 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have used prescription drugs nonmedically in their lifetime (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
  • 23 percent of teens report having abused prescription medication at least once (Drug Enforcement Agency).
  • 31 percent of teens think it is acceptable to use someone else's prescription as long as they are not getting high (Drug Enforcement Agency).
  • 73 percent of teens indicated that it is easy to get prescription drugs from their parents' medicine cabinets (Drug Enforcement Agency).

Sources:

  • "Medication Generation: Just Say Know" press release, Wayne State University
  • "Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication Abuse in the United States" (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
  • "2019 Monitoring the Future Survey" (Drug Enforcement Agency)