NEW Rx, OTC FOCUS ADDED TO DARE

Drug Abuse Resistance Education(DARE) has collaborated with lawenforcement, the PharmaceuticalResearch and Manufacturers Association(PhRMA), and a host of advocacygroups and government agenciesto develop a new curriculum tocounter the abuse of prescriptionand OTC drugs.

The curriculum has componentsfor students, as well as presentationsfor parents. A survey by theSubstance Abuse and MentalHealth Services Administration'sCenter for Substance Abuse Treatmentfound that, although theabuse of illegal drugs is declining,teen abuse of legal drugs isincreasing.

"Prescription drugs improve thelives of millions of patients everyday," said Billy Tauzin, PhRMA'spresident. "The misuse of thesedrugs is tragic, and I believe wehave a moral obligation to ensurethat medications are used properlyand that we actively work to preventmedication abuse."

The new curriculum is beingincorporated into DARE classesaround the country during the2007-2008 school year.