Prescription Drugs

Educators: Prescription Drugs

Most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. But an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. It is a serious and growing problem.

Abusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction.

Experts don’t know exactly why this type of drug abuse is increasing. The availability of drugs is probably one reason. Doctors are prescribing more drugs for more health problems than ever before. Online pharmacies make it easy to get prescription drugs without a prescription, even for our youth.

Statement of the Youth Problem
Drug abuse negatively impacts every aspect of a teen’s life and can severely impair academic performance. Today’s educator must have resources available to effectively intervene and stop the cycle of abuse.

For local data on youth misuse of prescription drugs, click here: 2010 KIP (Kentucky Incentives for Prevention) Survey Results – Fayette County


What we are doing
Data and programming: We work closely with schools on data collection and the development of effective prevention and intervention programs. The coalition administers the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) Survey to 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students throughout Fayette County every other year to track behaviors and attitudes.

Guest speakers: The coalition makes available outside resources to assist teachers

What you can do to help

  • Make use of the guest speakers and resources listed above.
  • Support coalition efforts to collect data, including through the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) Survey which is administered to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders every other year.
  • Help enforce school rules – including the no smoking policy. Students who smoke are more likely to go on to drink and use drugs. The no smoking policy is only as good as its enforcement and that takes the support of all teachers and administrators.
  • Connect with parents and help educate them. One of the biggest challenges is getting parent involvement. You are in a position to gain parent buy-in and engage them in this important issue.
  • Serve as a Campus Champion: Teachers, as well as parents and other volunteers are welcome to participate. The Campus Champion serves as a liaison between our coalition and a specific middle or high school to facilitate effective communication and advocate for interventions which will serve all youth. It’s a limited time commitment with huge dividends to our young people!
  • Contact us to see how you can become involved in our coalition activities.
  • Keep track of our local efforts through the coalition calendar on our homepage.
  • ProtectYourPrescriptions flyer for your own home
  • Teen Prescription Drugs: an Emerging Threat

Teachers
Elementary School

Middle & High School

K-12

Treatment:
If addiction or abuse of prescription drugs is suspected a person should not attempt to stop taking prescription medications on their own. Withdrawal symptoms from these drugs can be problematic and in some cases life-threatening. There are multiple modalities of treatment that can be sought: detoxification, inpatient or outpatient counseling, cognitive behavior therapy and recovery groups are all important in the intervention/treatment continuum.

http://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment or 1-800-662-4357 for the national 24 hr. hotline

Bluegrass MHMR Board’s 24 hr. hotline is 1-800-928-8000

If in Fayette Co. please call 253-2737.

Additionally, please see the list of treatment options by clicking on the substance abuse information button on the home page.

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