1-28-15 fdl staand

The student group Students Taking Action Against Negative Decisions (STAAND) in Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, and Campbellsport high schools, along with Fond du Lac middle schools, have participated in “National Drug Facts Week” (NDFW) to spread awareness about drug abuse.  The week-long health observance, organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) took place Monday, January 26th through Friday, January 30th.  National Drug Facts Week is for teens to get honest answers about drugs so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends.  While drugs can put a teenager’s health and life in jeopardy, many teens are not aware of the risks.  More than a quarter of teens (27 percent) across the country have reported that they believe misusing and abusing prescription drugs is safer than using street drugs.    Locally, our prescription drug abuse rates are equally concerning.  One out of 20 Fond du Lac School District 8th, 10th, and 11th grade students surveyed in 2014 reported using prescription medication that was not prescribed to them in the past 30 days.  The medication was taken only for the experience or feeling it caused. Also, of the students who had reported prescription medication misuse, 1 in 3 of those students’ source was from a friend or peer.    “STAAND actively works in our school and community to provide education and awareness about the misuse of alcohol and other drugs,” states Fond du Lac school sophomore and STAAND member, Rachel Zahradnik.  “We want our peers to learn the truth about the many myths about drugs in our popular culture.”    As part of NDFW, STAAND developed messaging in the high school to compliment their current campaign entitled, “If You Care, You Won’t Share” to reduce the number of students reporting that they shared prescription medication among their peers.  Messaging included facts about teens and prescription drug abuse. Fond du Lac middle schools also participated during the week by providing announcements that educated students about the dangers and facts regarding drug and alcohol abuse.
 
For adults in the community, it is important to be educated and aware of the drugs that are found right in our own medicine cabinets – prescription medications.  Parents and family members are in the best position to reduce access to Rx drugs by keeping track of medicines in your home and by properly disposing medications when they are no longer needed at your local community drug disposal site.  Model good behavior by not sharing your medications and only take them according to your doctor’s orders or by following the instructions on the label.