Did you know that one in four young adults has misused a prescription drug and that one in 37 youth, ages 12 through 17, has misused cough medicine to get high from its dextromethorphan ingredient? National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month (NMAAM) is an annual campaign, observed throughout the month of October, to raise the public’s awareness of the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter medicine misuse.
CADCA urges coalitions to help raise awareness about the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter medicine misuse by taking part in NMAAM. The campaign serves an ideal launching pad for medicine misuse prevention efforts.
A cornerstone of the NMAAM campaign is the Dose of Prevention Challenge, an initiative designed to challenge coalitions to get medicine misuse on the radar screens of parents and others by holding an educational event or activity in their communities.
To recognize those who step up to the challenge, CADCA will select three coalitions for special recognition and prizes. The first place winner will be named CADCA’s Dose of Prevention Award recipient and will be recognized at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum Awards Luncheon. The first place winner will also receive one full scholarship to the National Leadership Forum and a $1,500 cash award for their coalition. Second and third place will each receive one complimentary registration to Forum.
To learn more about NMAAM, register for the Dose of Prevention Challenge, and to download free materials, visit www.PreventMedAbuse.org.