Talking with local students about drug abuse and misuse

Speaking to students in several local schools presented opportunities for three DKICP student pharmacists. P2s Sueun Suh, Kallen Kobayashi and Jarod Hanchett-Ching recently visited classes at Haili Christian and Central Hilo Christian schools in Hilo to talk about the dangers of medication abuse and misuse.

“It was great to be able to do in-person presentations again, and to talk to a wide range of ages – from elementary to high school students,” says Hanchett-Ching. Along with providing a great format for practicing their personal communication skills, the talks also gave DKICP students the chance to interact with local students, he says.

As members of the DKICP chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), the student pharmacists modeled their presentations on materials from the Generation Rx program, developed by students at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. The program mission is to educate local communities about the dangers of misusing prescription medications.

Core messages they presented included:

• Using prescription medications only as directed
• Never sharing them with others or using someone else’s medications
• Always storing them securely and disposing of them properly, if no longer needed
• Modeling safe medication practices and discussing dangers of misuse with family and friends.

The group looks forward to making other medication safety presentations at Waiakea High School’s Keiki Health Fair and Fun Run in December, and in Hilo High’s spring health classes in January, adds Hanchett-Ching.