Cafe Prevention Announces New Resources to Help Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

Online, September 12, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Springfield, MO -- CafePrevention.com announces the addition of a new information card highlighting the dangers of prescription drug abuse and what parents and community members can do to keep their prescription medications out of the hands of kids. Many communities have had their local pharmacies give this card out when they fill prescriptions - a great way to increase awareness of the issue and educate the community at large.

It has always been Cafe Prevention's goal to meet the needs of its community. As a result, for those that need to order these valuable drug education and prevention materials before September 30, in order to meet fiscal year deadlines, they will make every effort to accommodate the request.

In a 2009 survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), one third of teens said they could obtain prescription drugs for misuse within a day, and one in five stated they could get them within an hour - usually from home, parents, family members, or friends - and more teens said prescription drugs were easier to buy than beer. A survey reported in August of last year by CASA found that 34% of teenage prescription drug abusers obtained them from their homes, and 19% of teens surveyed stated it was easier to find prescription drugs, compared to 13% the year before.

CafePrevention has a full line of affordable and creative prevention products addressing prescription drug abuse to go along with this new info card, as well as products related to preventing underage drinking, marijuana and methamphetamine use, gangs, youth violence, and much more. A 2008 Partnership for a Drug Free America study found that 42% of teens agreed that anti-drug messages made them less likely to try drugs.

A recent study by the Substance Abuse Research Center of the University of Michigan found that 12.3% of high school seniors, nearly one in 10, have used narcotic pain killers, with the primary reason for use being they wanted to get high, feel good, or have a good time with friends. Dr. Adam Bisaga, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, has stated, "Not surprisingly, those who use opiods for their psychoactive effects were more likely to use other substances with addictive potential and show early signs of substance use disorder."

With school back in session, young people may have an increased opportunity to trade prescription medicines with their friends. A recent survey found that one in five teens ages 12-17 said they have given their drugs, such as Oxycontin and Darvocet, to friends or obtained them the same way.

The use of prescription medications, especially pain relievers, to achieve a 'high' is increasingly prevalent among high school students and puts these young people at an increased risk for using other substances with a potential for addiction. Yet, only 24% of teens reported that their parents had talked with them about prescription drug abuse, according to a 2008 PDFA study.

In addition to Cafe Prevention's materials targeting parents, school nurses, pharmacists and health care professionals, these drug prevention resources, coupled with the powerful impact that individuals in roles like this hold, can help prevent prescription drug abuse. For years, people in positions like this have relied on Cafe Prevention's drug, alcohol, and violence prevention resources as an effective tool in their arsenal.

Community Partnership, a large prevention coalition with a 20 year history, and parent of CafePrevention, understands that the abuse of prescription drugs simply isn't on many parents and community members radar screens. However, it must be, and with Cafe Prevention's drug prevention resources, many understand more clearly how to address this growing concern.

CafePrevention works hard to provide community coalitions, schools, youth and healthcare organizations, physicians, congregations, law enforcement, and agencies with drug prevention resources. One of our top priorities is helping communities prevent youth substance abuse through eye-catching, pamphlets, posters, bookmarks, games and community toolkits.

"We have taken statistical evidence regarding drug use among teens and coupled this with our desire to produce high-quality, cost-effective, and eye-catching drug prevention resources aimed at strengthening and empowering adults and teens," states Melissa Haddow, Executive Director of Cafe Prevention.