Generation Rx: Prescription drug abuse education and its influence on incarcerated juveniles

Issues:
Prescription medications are becoming the choice drug of abuse in America, with over five million people abusing prescription painkillers, sedatives or stimulants in a month.  People, especially youth, do not see the danger in prescription drug abuse because the medications are prescribed by physicians and dispensed at pharmacies.  Also, the connection between drug abuse and crime is well known.  However, most inmates do not receive the needed treatment or education services for drug abuse.

Description:
This project aims to give education and support interventions to incarcerated juveniles about the physiological, emotional, and legal dangers of prescription medication abuse. Pre-session questionnaires are administered to determine preconceived feelings and attitudes about prescription drug abuse. Sessions educate the juveniles on prescription drug abuse statistics, common myths, and risks of prescription drug abuse through discussion.  In addition, juveniles are encouraged to have peer-to-peer interactions to challenge their own opinions about prescription drug abuse.  Post-session questionnaires are administered to see changes in perception of drug abuse.

Lessons Learned:
It is important to begin prescription drug abuse prevention at a young age.  A significant amount of vital information is obtained from the youth questionnaires.  Even though most juveniles in the project aren’t incarcerated for prescription drug abuse, almost all of them admit to abusing prescription drugs in their past.

Recommendations:
Public Service Announcements through social media outlet will bring awareness.  Also, juveniles released from prison need to remain in a continuous drug abuse prevention program and given a community mentor to prevent relapse.