Prescription Drug Awareness

A way to keep up with the social scene, an outlet to numb pain and a practice that can affect lives when abused. Prescription medications are among the most highly abused substances in the United States. This site is supported by Cardinal Health and Generation Rx whom help to educate prescription drug users on the importance of safety, “You focus on what matters most: improving people’s lives. We focus on helping you do just that” as stated on the Cardinal Health website.

Students are more than likely to be exposed to non-prescribed prescription drugs at some point during their college career.  Education is key in not only the effort to change the misperceptions of prescription drug abuse, but also the behavior associated.

Those participating in discussions regarding prescription drug use should consider the risks and suggested safety precautions involved when using prescription drugs. Change the habits, behaviors and misperceptions of prescription drug abuse and avoid becoming just another statistic.

Common risk factors of prescription drug abuse include the following as provided by Cardinal Health and Generation Rx:

  •  “Some prescription drugs can be extremely addicting.”
  •  “About 100 Americans die every day from unintentional drug overdoses, mostly resulting from prescription drug abuse, equating to about one death every 15 minutes.”
  •  “A growing campus culture of self-diagnosis and self-prescribing has the potential to cause negative health effects and lead to the dangers of prescription drug abuse.”
  •  “Students who use prescription drugs non-medically have a significantly higher risk for drug abuse.”
  • "When you share your prescription medications with others, you could be liable if that person is harmed."
  • "Using medications like Vicodin®, Adderall®, or Xanax® that aren't prescribed for you is against federal and state laws."

It is imperative to follow the recommended safety precautions when using prescription drugs to avoid abuse as provided by Cardinal Health:

  • You are putting others at risk when you share your prescription drugs.
  • It is important to take your medications only as prescribed.
  • Keep your prescription drugs in a safe and secure place that is unknown to others.
  • Dispose of medications you no longer need.

The following statistics are derived from the Generation Rx Website and the ACHA-NCHA study conducted on BGSU’s campus in the fall of 2012.

  •  “There were enough prescription opioids (narcotic painkillers) prescribed in 2010 to medicate every adult around the clock for one month.” – Generation Rx Every 15 Minutes Facilitator Notes
  •  “ 41 % of surveyed teens in 2008 agreed that prescription drugs are safer to use than illegal drugs, even if they are not prescribed by a doctor.” –Generation Rx Every 15 Minutes Facilitator Notes
  • Over 70% of prescription drug abusers get them from family members or friends.
  • The misuse rate of prescription drugs on BGSU’s campus is 29.6% - ACHA-NCHA Survey
  • The perception among students is that 84.8% misused prescription drugs - ACHA-NCHA Survey
  • 10% of students are using pain killers not prescribed for them during the past 12 months - ACHA-NCHA Survey
  • 12% of students are using stimulants not prescribed for them during the past 12 months - ACHA-NCHA Survey
  • 4.4% of students were using sedatives, 2.3% antidepressants, and 0.9% erectile dysfunction drugs not prescribed for them within the past 12 months (2012)- ACHA-NCHA Survey

Updated: 01/25/2023 01:12PM