Consumers have trusted the makers of over-the-counter medications with the health of their families for many years. Now, it’s our turn to alert communities and educate parents about a growing problem: the intentional abuse of cough medicines among teens. To learn more about this problem and to find out what you can do to help stop cough medicine abuse, take a moment to check out our materials and programs listed below.
D.A.R.E. America has launched a new prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine abuse curriculum for school-aged children and their parents. Supported by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, and Abbott Laboratories, the D.A.R.E. program teaches fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-graders the differences between Rx and OTC medicines, how to read OTC Drug Facts and Rx labels, the dangers of abusing medicines, and refusal skills for teens faced with offers to abuse medications. More information is available on DARE.org.
