Nearly Half of San Diego Teens Are Worried About a Friend's or Their Own Prescription Drug Abuse. It's Time to Wake Up, San Diego!

WHO:    

All San Diego Residents Are Encouraged to Attend

Parents, Grandparents, Healthcare Providers, Community Leaders...       

WHERE:  

Balboa Park:  WorldBeat Cultural Center  

2100 Park Blvd., San Diego

WHEN:      

Saturday, October 13 

9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

WHAT:      

RISE UP - a town hall meeting presented by WAKE UP! 

Join physicians, survivors, students and parents in an open dialogue about the growing epidemic of teen prescription drug abuse in San Diego and across the U.S.

Thousands of San Diego high school students were recently introduced to WAKE UP!, a comprehensive, school-based community program aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse and first time use among American teenagers. WAKE UP! RISE UP is the first step in taking this message from schools, to the San Diego community at large. 

Prescription drug abuse among teens has reached epidemic proportions across the United States. New survey findings released this week, confirm that rising incidences of teens abusing prescription drugs is prevalent among young people in San Diego.  

Out of nearly 1,000 students surveyed (9^th through 12^th grade):

65% said they know a student in their school who has either: 

• Taken prescription drugs that were not prescribed for them
• Shared/sold drugs prescribed for them with/to another person
• Bought drugs that were prescribed for someone else

49% say they've been worried about a friend's or their own drug use 

75% say when a teen wants Rx drugs they buy them from other teens/students  

70% say when a teen wants Rx drugs they take them from their family medicine cabinet

Speakers to include: 

State of Florida Drug Task Force Physician & WAKE UP!  Medical Director - Lora Brown, MD

S.D. Residents: Sherrie Rubin & Son, Aaron Rubin (wheelchair bound after Oxy overdose)

Roneet Lev, MD  - Director of San Diego Medical Society Prescription Drug Abuse Medical Task Force

San Diego-Area High School Students & More