October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and an important reminder that prevention starts at home and in our communities. Misuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines continues to be a growing concern, especially since easy access to leftover medications can put youth at risk.
The numbers are staggering: one in three young adults has misused a prescription drug, and one in 27 teens aged 12 to 17 has abused OTC cough medicine to get high. These are not merely statistics; they are kids in our schools, our communities, and our families. Because access is often so easy, misuse can lead to more serious substance use down the line.
Every year, CADCA partners with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s (CHPA) Stop Medicine Abuse campaign to put on the Défi dose de prévention, inviting coalitions to educate their communities about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and OTC cough medicine abuse.
The Dose of Prevention Challenge encourages coalitions across the country to take action and address this issue by hosting town halls, launching educational awareness campaigns, partnering with schools, and finding creative ways to start important conversations that keep community members informed. By engaging parents, educators, youth, and other key members, these events help reshape community norms around safe medication use. The more events a coalition hosts, the more chances they have to be recognized for their hard work.
Last year’s winner, the Orange County Drug Free Coalition, reached more than 60,000 people with messages about prescription drug and over-the-counter cough medicine misuse through school partnerships, youth-led events, and community outreach.
Recognition doesn’t stop there. CADCA also hosts the annual Dîner de remise des prix de la campagne Enfants sans drogue, which celebrates organizations and individuals making a difference in the prevention field. The dinner brings together more than 400 supporters, including federal partners, members of Congress, coalition leaders, and youth advocates, to honor the people and programs helping kids stay safe and drug-free. CADCA is proud to lead this event, with CHPA as a valued supporter.
By participating in the Dose of Prevention Challenge, you can help start conversations that educate your community and keep kids safe. The work that we all do in the prevention space matters, and everyone has the power to make a difference in their corner of the world.
