NIDA to Showcase “PEERx” for Teens at First Rx Drug Abuse Summit

The first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit will be held next week in Orlando, Fla, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) will be showcasing “PEERx,” an initiative that uses interactive videos and other tools to educate teens about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and help them to spread the word. Teen leaders from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will assist NIDA in exhibiting PEERx and hosting a train-the-trainer workshop for state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others attending the event.

NIDA’s involvement in the summit also includes an exhibit for NIDAMED, NIDA's outreach to physicians, which will include a collection of resources to assist health care providers in detecting drug abuse early, preventing escalation to addiction, and referring patients to treatment when necessary.

Visit the PEERx portion of the "NIDA for Teens" Web site, here, and learn more about the first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit at http://nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org/.

Recent studies have investigated the link between lack of sleep in teens and health-risk behaviors, including drug abuse. Read more in Psychiatric News, here.

(Image: NIDA)