A media campaign launched by Ascension public schools and Capital Area Human Services is raising awareness of prescription drug abuse among teens.

Lock Your Meds is part of a national campaign including posters, a parent brochure, a public service announcement for radio and television and social media ads, a news release said. Local pharmacies and doctors offices are participating in the campaign, created by the National Family Partnership.

National data indicates 6.5 million people age 12 and older have abused prescription drugs, and 66 percent of youths older than 12 who abuse such drugs obtain them from friends and family, a news release said.

"Our latest data shows 4 percent of 10th-graders and 6 percent of 12th-graders in Ascension Parish admitted to abusing prescription drugs. It is even happening to 1 percent of sixth-graders right here in our community," Ascension public schools Superintendent David Alexander said. "The goal of this campaign is to bring awareness to parents and guardians about this problem and to encourage them to limit access to prescription drugs in their homes."

Learn more about the campaign and download materials at apsb.org/page/lock-your-meds. Those interested in partnering with Ascension Public Schools on the campaign can call Coordinator of Student Services Linda Lamendola at (225) 391-7272.

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Lock Your Meds campaign combats prescription abuse among youths - The Advocate