FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2012
Zachary Kolsky
(202)-822-7778
Partnership Aims to Prevent Students from Misusing Prescription Drugs
NEA HIN, Purdue Pharma Release Resources for Educators
Washington DC and Stamford, CT – June 28, 2012 – The National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), in partnership with Purdue Pharma L. P. , today announced the release of newly developed educational resources on prescription drug abuse and misuse.
The resources, called Rx for Understanding, include 10 cross-curricular lessons for middle school students. Aligned with the National Health Education Standards and Common Core State Standards, the lessons aim to equip students with the understanding and decision-making skills they need to recognize and avoid the dangers of misusing and abusing prescription drugs.
“We know that 20 percent of high school students have reported that they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription,” said Jerry Newberry, NEA HIN Executive Director. “This behavior endangers student health and can interfere with academic success. NEA HIN welcomes our partnership with Purdue Pharma to help teachers inform students about the risks in misusing prescription medication.”
Resources will be available free of charge, in print and online, to educators upon its launch on June 30 during the NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C.
“Purdue and NEA HIN look forward to providing teachers with educational resources to guide them in addressing the critical health issue of the abuse and misuse of prescription medication,” said Pamela Bennett, RN, BSN, Executive Director of Healthcare Alliance Development at Purdue. “This effort is part of a larger initiative to establish partnerships with communities of educators, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement to help fight the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.”
About the National Education Association Health Information Network
As the non-profit health and safety arm of the NEA, the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) provides health and safety information to the over 3 million educational employees served by NEA and their 43 million students. NEA HIN distributes information nationally through NEA’s 51 state/territory affiliates as well as through its almost 15,000 local education associations. For more information, please visit www.neahin.org
About Purdue Pharma L.P.
Purdue Pharma L.P. is a privately held pharmaceutical company, founded by physicians, that is engaged in the research, development, production, and distribution of prescription and over-the-counter medicines and healthcare products. The company is known for its pioneering research on pain, a principal cause of human suffering. Purdue Pharma L.P. has developed RxSafetyMatters.org to provide information and resources to help deter medication misuse and abuse.
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Media Contact:
Zachary Kolsky
Web and Marketing Coordinator
NEA Health Information Network
202-822-7778
[email protected]
James Heins
Senior Director, Public Affairs
Purdue Pharma L.P.
(203) 588-8069
[email protected]
@RxSafetyMatters