National Drug Facts Week

Welcome to National Drug Facts Week (Jan. 27 – Feb 2)!

Did you know that adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medication?  The Office of National Drug Control Policy calls prescription drug abuse “the Nation’s fastest growing drug problem.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. The problem of prescription drug abuse and misuse is particularly alarming among young people.

National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) was created as a health observance week for teens with the goal of keeping them informed about drugs and drug abuse, mainly through community-based events, online activities, TV, and through contests.  Some of the issues addressed include illicit drug use, prescription drug abuse, and use of alcohol and tobacco.  The NDFW website offers information on how you can host your own community event this week or year round.  NIDA also provides an online toolkit that instructs teens and adults on how to create an event, publicize it, find an expert, and obtain scientific information on drugs and drug abuse. 

Here are a few quick but important tips to convey to teens about prescription drug abuse:

• It is never okay to take your own prescription drugs to get high.
• It is never okay to change your  prescription dosage. This is called self-medication and is very dangerous.
• It is never okay for your friends to share prescription drugs.
• Prescription drug abuse can lead to a serious addiction(s).
• Prescription drug abuse is illegal.

The goal is to keep teens informed! 

Also, check out our upcoming webinar series starting this week on prescription drug abuse and misuse.  This webinar series will focus on three core areas (1) the facts about prescription drug abuse (2) the educator’s resource guide: Rx for Understanding: Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse (grades 9-12) and (3) how to use the educator’s resource guide in your school.  You can get more information about these three webinars from our online learning page or learn more about our resource guides for grades (5-8) and (9-12).