4090.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 1

Abstract #30296

Educating parents on potential substances of abuse and misuse to impact the incidence of inappropriate consumption in the community

Tara M. Jenkins, MS, Pharm D and Carmita A. Coleman, PharmD. Department of Clinical & Administrative Sciences, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Kittrell Hall, Hampton, VA 23668, 757-727-5939, tara.jenkins@hamptonu.edu

Substance abuse continues to be one of the foremost health and social problems faced by our Nation today. The use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is responsible for more than one in four preventable deaths each year, as well as substantial healthcare costs, productivity loss, criminal activity, and immeasurable suffering. The purpose of this project was to educate the parents of the school age children on drugs of abuse and the proper use, common misuse and possible abuse of common household substances, prescription and nonprescription agents. The goal of this project was to use an interactive and mind stimulating format to present educational material to parents. Using the aforementioned format, we provided knowledge and increased awareness of drug use and abuse to parents of school-age children in a pre-selected community.

Learning Objectives: Objectives: 1. Describe the current trends in substance abuse in the US. 2. Discuss common substances of abuse, including prescription and non-prescription agents. 3. Discuss the common signs and symptoms of drug abuse with these agents. 4. Provide basic tips on the correct usage of common household agents and how to increase awareness of their misuse and abuse.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA