New digital course takes a population-level approach to curbing prescription drug abuse
WASHINGTON DC (November 16, 2017) – The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) today announced a new nationwide educational initiative to empower college students with the skills to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription medications and understand the dangers of misusing these drugs. Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk and AAM executives joined students and leaders from local colleges and universities for a roundtable discussion to launch the initiative.
“The Association for Accessible Medicines is proud to support a prevention program empowering college and university students, faculty and administration officials with a powerful, proven tool to increase their awareness and safety,” said AAM President and CEO Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr.
AAM has partnered with education technology leader EVERFI, Inc. to provide a new digital curriculum to colleges and universities across the U.S. The course uses an evidence-based, public health approach to empower students with skills to help protect themselves and others from abuse and misuse. Through interactive scenarios and self-guided activities, students learn the facts about prescription drugs, how to properly use and dispose of them and how to step in when faced with a situation involving misuse.
Frostburg State University has mandated the new digital prevention education solution for all incoming students this fall.
“As part of Frostburg State University’s commitment to providing students with exceptional academic and co-curricular experiences, we are pleased to continue our successful partnership with EverFi to provide an effective online platform to educate our students regarding proper use of prescription drugs and in preventing their misuse and abuse,” said Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk.
Data from more than 33,000 students who completed the online curriculum this fall showed that 75 percent of students felt they are more confident in their ability to intervene if a friend is misusing prescription drugs after taking the program and 73 percent said the course taught them where to find resources for drug abuse at their institution. “AAM’s commitment to America’s college students is a bold step toward getting out in front of prescription drug abuse and equipping young people with critical skills.” said Rob Buelow, EVERFI Vice President of Higher Education.
“AAM's investment is an important shift toward large-scale prevention, and the data from this program will be instrumental in shaping future programming and policy decisions on our nation's campuses." AAM’s educational initiative is a key component of its participation in the Prescription Drug Safety Network, a national coalition of health care companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, foundations and state leaders committed to empowering Americans with the skills to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription medications.
Seventy-eight people die each day from opioid overdose, and another 20.8 million have a substance use disorder, but just 10 percent of those 20.8 million receive treatment, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Young people are particularly vulnerable, as The National Institute of Health’s Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nonmedical use of prescription drugs is highest among young adults aged 18 to 25.
About the Association for Accessible Medicines
AAM is driven by the belief that access to safe, quality, effective medicine has a tremendous impact on a person’s life and the world around them. Generic and biosimilar medicines improve people’s lives, improving society and the economy in turn. AAM represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals are 89 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. but only 27 percent of total drug spending.
About EVERFI, Inc.
EVERFI, Inc. is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Founded in 2008, EVERFI is fueled by its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model and has certified over 18 million learners in critical skill areas. Some of America’s leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Evan Williams, TPG Growth, The Rise Fund, Advance Publications, and Rethink Education, and Rethink Impact. The EVERFI Education Network powers more than 4,300 partners in their education initiatives across all 50 states and Canada.
Media Contacts
Rachel Schwartz
AAM - Director, Communications
202-249-7147
Monique Waters
EVERFI - Senior Director of Corporate Communications
301-233-4241