According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, substance abuse, particularly the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, is one of the most critical public health and safety issues facing Kentucky. Over the past decade, the number of Kentuckians who die from drug overdoses has steadily climbed to more than 1,500 each year, exacting a devastating toll on families, communities, social services and economic stability and growth.

According to the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, KY has the third highest drug overdose death rate in the nation, and one in five teens have admitted using prescription drug pills non-medically which is a huge concern for teens and young adults in our state. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health data shows that almost one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug that wasn't prescribed to them. 
 According to Forbes Magazine, Kentucky is the 4th most medicated state and it has the nation's sixth-highest rate of prescription drug overdose deaths. More Kentuckians are dying from overdoses than traffic accidents. 

 

Because Hickman County is recognized as having a drug problem in the community, we wanted to intervene and provide prevention education so we have taken advantage of the Truth and Consequences curriculum and implemented the program. Our goal was to target high school freshman to help them learn more about the legal, physical, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse. The Hickman County Extension Office collaborated with the Family Resource Center and Community Education Director and approximately 40 community volunteers and agencies to present this program to 53 students. 

 

Pre-test measures revealed the following: 29 students felt it was safer to get high on prescription drugs rather than illegal substances; 10 students believed it was legal for parents to provide alcohol at a party to underage youth; and 4 youth indicated that sharing or selling your prescription medication is legal since your doctor prescribed them and they are your property. After participating in Truth and Consequences, post-test results revealed a positive impact from the event. Post-test results indicated the following: only 8 youth who felt it was safer to get high on prescription drugs rather than illegal substances; only one youth responded that it is ok to give your prescription medication to a friend having similar symptoms; and now only 3 felt youth still felt that sharing or selling your prescription medication is legal since your doctor prescribed them and they are your property. Students could accurately describe more accurate health risks (addiction, brain damage, memory loss, overdose, death, etc.) in post-test measures. One student described to me that he didn’t realize the Juvenile Detention Center was as serious as it was. 100% of community partners felt the event provided information to discourage students from substance abuse. Teachers followed up in classrooms after the activity by having a class discussion. Teachers reported all positive comments coming from their students.