How Can Students Get Involved in Prescription Education and Awareness? The Prescription Playbook is an education and awareness campaign for students, parents, and coaches to prevent opioid pain reliever diversion, misuse, and abuse. Follow along in the Presentation to learn you can help spread awareness on prescription education. Visit ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook

The teen brain continues to develop through adolescence until the mid 20’s. These years are critical for development of the brain, particularly regions of that brain that assist in impulse and emotional control. Misuse of prescription drugs, especially highly addictive drugs such as opioid pain relievers, can alter development, affect the reward system, and lead to increased risk of addiction as an adult. Prescription education is important for everyone (because everyone has the ability to be prescribed something), but it is especially important for students. During the adolescent years, the brain is growing rapidly and transforming faster than ever. It is important that students make the healthiest decisions to not only set themselves up for success in the present moment, but also in the future. Any substances (even legal ones such as prescription drugs) have the ability to effect the neurochemistry of the brain and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Follow along in the presentation to learn more about the importance of prescription education and be thinking about ways that you can help others in your community.

What Can Students Do? Learn from healthcare professionals and educate themselves Get involved in National Prescription Drug Take Back Days Start the conversation with parents and peers Brainstorm ideas to help others in your community Students can attempt to check off each point listed above to address the full scope of prescription education and awareness. Bring awareness to safe use, storage, and disposal Be aware of International Overdose Awareness Day Inform community members about drug take back locations Be creative and find places to disseminate information such as dentist offices and hospitals

Where Can Students Go? Hospitals and immediate care centers Dentist Offices Community Centers and Parks and Recreation Areas Pharmacies Police Departments Can you think of any others? Brainstorm a list of places that you could disseminate information on prescription take back locations. A great way to provide prescription education to others in the community is to find a list of prescription take back locations near you and make those services available for others who may not know about them. Prescription take back locations offer a free, safe, and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unused medications so that they aren’t taken or misused by others. Try to pass out flyers and post cards with information on disposal options. Visit: https://ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook/safe-disposal/ to find free prescription take back locations in your area!

National Prescription Take Back Day Large Picture Slide The DEA sponsors two prescription take back days each year that typically occur in April and October 168 law enforcement agencies collected 36,896 pounds of unused prescription drugs at 188 collection sites at the last take back day in Illinois in October. Be aware of this national initiative that happens in APRIL and OCTOBER: In a total 16 take back days, Illinois has collected 518,628 pounds of prescription drugs on National Prescription Take Back Day. https://takebackday.dea.gov/

International Overdose Awareness Day Large Picture Slide “This is a global event held on August 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury resulting from a drug overdose”. Be aware of this day in AUGUST each year: This day is sponsored by the Penington Institute. Check out their website to find a number of social media resources and posters/flyers to help spread awareness on this day. https://www.overdoseday.com/

Resources Messages Visit ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook Posters/Flyers Prescription Talk Guides Opioid Identification Guides Social Media Toolkit Videos/PSA Announcements Educational Opioid Resources Messages Play to Win Don’t Be a Spectator Safe Decisions Begin With Simple Conversations Safeguard Your Prescriptions Monitor Your Medicine Cabinet Safe Storage is Within Reach Safe Disposal is a Solution Be aware of these free resources when you bring awareness to prescription education in your community. There are flyers, prescription education guides, social media toolkits, and videos that you can use to help others in your community. Visit ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook to access prescription education toolkits. Visit ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook

Other resources for students Medicine Abuse Project: https://drugfree.org/medicine-abuse-project/resources/ Operation Prevention: https://www.operationprevention.com/ NIDA/Heads Up Scholastic: http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers/opioid-overdose-epidemic SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/atod/opioids DrugAbuse.Gov: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-pain-medications-opioids ILHPP: https://ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook/

Large Picture Slide ilhpp.org/prescription-playbook Developed and funded in whole and or part, by the Illinois Department of Human Services and/or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of IDHS, SAMHSA, or HHS, and should not be construed as such.