A goal of the My Own Influence campaign is to create a safe environment for students that provides alternative activities from underage substance use. In order to promote the campaign Kathleen Kelly, Professor of Marketing, Colorado State University, worked with middle school and high school students to develop messaging and print materials that are appealing to them. In coordination with the My Own Influence campaign and their Regional Support Center, schools will be able to utilize these materials.
Members of our schools and communities are working to help local youth be under their own influence. We talked with My Own Influence campaign members about efforts that are underway to prevent underage substance use.
Jessica Howard, MACSAPP, Prevention Program Director, works directly with middle school and high school focus groups in order to understand teen's perceptions of drugs and alcohol. She says the My Own Influence Campaign works because it was created by youth, for youth.
AUDIO: Jessica Howard
How Can You Help?
Parents and Communities
It starts with you. Talk with your children about a healthy lifestyle, making healthy choices, and why it is important to stay away from dangerous substances. Simply hearing about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol from an adult they look up to, decreases the risk of underage substance misuse.
Schools
Jamie Myers, Executive Director, Prevention Consultants of Missouri, says there is an effort to collaborate with as many community agencies as possible, to make real change happen.
AUDIO: Jamie Myers
Prescription Dropboxes
Myers is working to create awareness through a campaign to place prescription dropboxes throughout our local communities. He says through the use of dropboxes, medicine can be properly disposed of, preventing substances from getting into the wrong hands.
Pill Pods
Pill Pods are small lockable devices that parents of small children can use in order to lock up prescription medication. Statistics demonstrate that a greater availability and less perception of harm show a greater risk for prescription drug misuse. Prescription drugs tend to be viewed as safe. However, it is important to remind young people that prescription drugs are only safe when they are correctly being used by the person who they were prescribed to, and during the time period that they were prescribed. Prescription drugs can become addictive and dangerous, even with the best of intentions.
Resources for Talking with Kids:
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens: Advancing Addiction Science
