1. Generation Rx: An Extension
Partnership to Raise Awareness
about Prescription Drug Abuse
Molly Brown, Ph.D.
College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University
Liz Smith, M.S., R.D., L.D.
FCS Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension

2. At the completion of this program,
participants will be able to…
1. Describe the scope of the prescription drug abuse
problem.
2. Identify the successful components of a local evidence-
based program that raised awareness about prescription
drug abuse.
3. Adapt and utilize prescription drug abuse educational
resources for prevention programming.
4. Determine how to adapt the structure of our program to
successfully raise awareness about prescription drug
abuse in your community.

3. • Accidental overdoses and deaths associated with
prescription drug abuse are on the rise
Rate of unintentional drug overdose Unintentional drug overdose deaths by
death in the United States, major type of drug, United States,
1970-2007 1999-2007
(National Vital Statistics System)

4. (Ohio Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics; Ohio Department of Public Safety)

5. Why prescription drugs?

6. “Pharmaceutical Populism”
“ “…a growing culture of
self-diagnosis and
self-prescription”

7. Past Month Use of Specific Illicit Drugs
among Persons Aged 12 or Older: 2009
(National Survey on Drug Use & Health, SAMHSA)

8. (MTF, 2010)

9. • 1 in 4 teens report misusing medications at least once in
their lives. (PATS, 2010)
• 1 in 3 teens reports knowing someone who abuses Rx
drugs. (ONDCP, 2008)
• Every day, nearly 2,500 youth (aged 12-17) abuse a
prescription pain reliever for the very first time.
(NSDUH, 2008)

11. Stats & Trends:
Prescription for Danger
• 40% of teens consider the abuse of
prescription drugs to be much safer
than street drugs
• 29% believe prescription pain
relievers are not addictive.
• Most do not know that possessing a
Rx drug without a prescription is a
felony offense
(punishable by jail time)
(PATS, 2006)

12. Ogres are Like Onions:
They Have Layers
• Law Enforcement
• Regulatory Changes
• Drug Disposal
• Drug Addiction Treatment Services
• Counseling and Recovery Services
• Prescribing and Dispensing
Guidelines
• Educational Prevention Initiatives

13. A mutually beneficial partnership
• Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy faculty
• Ohio State’s Family & Consumer Science Extension
Educators
• Partnership Structure:
1. Recruit
2. Train
3. Deliver Prevention Programs

14. Partnership Structure: Recruit
• Grants provided release time
– Cardinal Health Foundation
– OSU Community Access to Research & Educational Services
• 1 educator/EERA

15. Partnership Structure: Training
Recruit 
Train (1 day) 
Deliver Prevention Programs (1 yr)
College of Pharmacy Extension Educators
• Provided educational • Adapted educational resources
resources
• Brainstormed potential
• Discussed and community partners
demonstrated how to use
resources
• Created a 30-45 min
prevention program

16. Generation Rx Education Resource Toolbox
• Resources organized by
target audience
• Customize or Brand with
your logo

17. Education Resource Toolbox: Background

18. Education Resource Toolbox: General Public

19. Education Resource Toolbox: Parents

20. Education Resource Toolbox: Students

21. Education Resource Toolbox: Students

22. Education Resource Toolbox: Partners

23. Example of a 30-45 min. program
• Audience: Parents
1. 15 minutes—”Generation Rx: Preventing the Misuse
and Abuse of Prescription Medications” presentation
2. 10 minutes—”Generation Rx” Family Feud
3. 5 minutes—Memorial Video
4. 5 minutes—Question/Answer session
5. 5 minutes—Surveys, disseminate handouts

24. Partnership Structure:
Deliver Prevention Programs
Recruit 
Train (1 day) 
Deliver Prevention Programs (1 yr)
Extension Educators College of Pharmacy
• Delivered programs • Supported Educators
– Community groups – Videoconferencing
– High Schools – Conference calls
– Train the Trainer – Individual Q&A
• Uploaded branded resources to • Analyzed survey data
a common website
• Collected data via surveys

25. Was the partnership successful?
• Reached 1,800 Ohioans across 35 counties
Adults Teens
(n=507) (n=356)
I was satisfied with today’s program on 1.3 2.0
prescription drug abuse.1
I will discuss prescription drug misuse and 1.5 2.7
abuse with others. 2
I will share today’s educational materials 1.5 2.5
with others. 2
I will engage in safe medication practices in 1.4 1.9
my home. 2
1Likert Scale Rating: 1=strongly agree; 5=strongly disagree
2Likert Scale Rating: 1=very likely, 5=very unlikely

26. Why should I try to replicate
this partnership?
• OSU’s College of Pharmacy perspective:
1. Widely disseminates our education prevention
resources
2. Provides community-specific prevention strategies
through the expertise and connections of Extension
Educators

27. Why should I try to replicate
this partnership?
• OSU’s Extension Educator perspective:
1. High Impact
2. Ready-to-go materials
– Priority in states with fewer educators
3. College of Pharmacy is well respected and creates
credible information
– Partnership allowed for rapid analysis of data collected

28. How could you replicate
this partnership?
1. How could you adapt the structure of this
program to best meet the needs of your
community?
2. Who could you partner with in your
community?

29. Questions or Comments?
Molly Brown
brown.4354@osu.edu
Liz Smith
smith.3993@cfaes.osu.edu
www.go.osu.edu/generationrx