Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention in Rural West Virginia: Community-Based Approach

Introduction: The cost of prescription drug abuse and misuse to society is estimated by The National Community Pharmacists Association to be more than $100 billion. In part, this is a consequence of the fact that, in the United States, 40% of teenagers agree that prescription drugs, even if not prescribed by a doctor, are much safer than illegal drugs.

Objectives: We collaborated with the communities of rural McDowell County, West Virginia, an impoverished county in Central Appalachia, to engage in a youth- and family-centered prescription drug abuse prevention program. This community based research program was aimed at strengthening resiliency and protective factors of 5th and 6th grade students while establishing a sustainable prevention program framework.

Results: The intervention involved a multi- dimensional approach that built upon community involvement, schools and families. An attempt was made to integrate the area's unique geography and culture. This was an effort to establish a sustainable positive youth development program, recognizing that the deterrents and encouragements that exist as part of this community have and will greatly influence this program. The program is ongoing through the summer of 2008. More than 190 youth and 16 families have been recruited into the program. Data analysis will include univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate correlational statistics and analyses of difference. The program, community mobilization techniques and ongoing evaluation measures will be described.