Drugs of Abuse

Did you know that nearly one-quarter of 12th graders report that they have abused prescription drugs by the time they graduate from high school? In fact, research shows that prescription drug abuse among our nation’s youth is surging.

Prescription drug abuse is a serious, growing problem in the United States, especially among pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults.  Through a membership survey, NASN members expressed the need for resources to address this growing crisis.  NASN responded to this request with the initiatives found here. 

Home to Homeroom

NASN partnered with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association to provide school nurses and parents with tools to help address teen medicine abuse.  Access this initiative using the link in the menu on the left.

Smart Moves, Smart Choices

NASN has teamed up with Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies (formerly PriCara®) and joined with addiction expert and national TV and radio personality Dr. Drew Pinsky (Dr. Drew) to raise awareness of teen prescription drug abuse.  The purpose of the initiative is to educate and empower parents, teens and educators to get smart about this problem among our nation’s youth.  Link to the initiative's microsite in the menu on the left.
Read the press release for the toolkit launch.
Read the press release about the website launch.
Read the fact sheet about this program.

Please click here to visit the Smart Moves, Smart Choices website

The Current State of Teenage Drug Abuse: Trend Toward Prescription Drugs

This CNE program was mailed as a supplement to the June Journal of School Nursing and it is also available as an online program for 2.0 CNE contact hours.
Upon completing this program, participants should be able to:
1. Summarize the prevalence of prescription drug abuse, dependency, and addiction potential among adolescents
2. Describe recommended approaches to identification and treatment of prescription drug abuse
3. Discuss preventive strategies aimed at reducing prescription drug abuse
4. Apply practical approaches to facilitating communication with students, parents, educators, and others in the community

Click here to access the online program (including an electronic copy of the supplement)

Toolkits

This initiative answers the call made by school nurses for educational resources and practical tools to support strategies for preventing, identifying, and managing teenage prescription drug misuse and abuse.  The online toolkit features free practical, downloadable tools and worksheets for school nurses to use and distribute to students, educators, and parents. 

This activity and program is supported by an educational grant from PriCara®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., administered by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.

Click here to access the Prescription Drug Abuse Toolkit
Click here to order Smart Moves, Smart Choices Toolkit

Help Families Fight the Abuse of Rx and OTC Drugs

In response to the growing problem of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse, D.A.R.E. America, in cooperation with Abbott Laboratories and Consumer Healthcare Products Association, introduced High School and Parent/Community lessons to fight Rx and OTC drug abuse.  Order copies online at https://secure.dare.org/nasn/request.aspx.