Beginning in March, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy students and faculty will deliver age-appropriate presentations regarding prescription drug abuse to students in grades 4-12 in the Metro East region. The approximately 30-minute presentation entitled “Rx for Destruction” will follow Illinois Common Core Teaching Standards. Presentations will be given until May.
Each presentation discusses objectives, such as defining the difference between safe use, misuse and abuse; discussing reasons behind prescription abuse; and identifying situations where students may be pressured to abuse such medications.
Along with adhering to a set of objectives, these presentations follow the Illinois Common Core Teaching Standards. Examples of the standards met include:
- 3B.5a: Analyze how present decision making affects college and career choices
- 3B.5b: Evaluate how responsible decision making affects interpersonal and group relationships
- 22.A.3a: Identify and describe ways to reduce health risks common to adolescents
This program was developed with the assistance of local government officials, law enforcement, area school officials and educators
For more information, contact Dr. Jessica Kerr, associate professor of pharmacy practice, at rx-abuse@siue.edu.
Photo: SIUE School of Pharmacy’s Dr. Jessica Kerr.