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**SESSION ABSTRACT** “Abused” by curricula?: The failure of health and drug abuse prevention curricula to address prescription drug use and abuse

Robert M. Weiler, PhD, Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118210, 5 FLG, Gainesville, FL 32611-8210, 392-352-0583, X 1282, rweiler@hhp.ufl.edu

Rationale: Prescription drugs are the third most frequently abused substance by young people (following alcohol and marijuana). Prescription drug abuse accounts for nearly one-third of drug-related emergency visits. Policymakers only recently have begun to address the problem. School-based education is the most common means for the public to gain lifetime-relevant information about prescription drug use and abuse. Formal school curricula are an important source of guidance for teachers regarding teaching objectives and content. This program assesses and compares three prominent types curricula with regard to prescription drug education: comprehensive health education curricula designed for middle schools, CSAP designated drug abuse prevention curricula, and D.A.R.E. curricula. All analyses used the same content analytic methodology, permitting direct comparisons of results. Analyses identified topics associated with prescription-drug related objectives and content, and the contexts in which objectives and content were presented. The fourth presentation makes a direct and systematic comparison of the three types of curricula. Proposed Program: Moderator/Discussant: Robert M. Weiler (contact: rweiler@hhp.ufl.edu. 352-392-0583, X1282) Papers (15 minutes each) "Implied knowledge: Prescription drug information in health education curricula," S. Camille Broadway, et al. (abstract # 78077); "Ignored by the best: Prescription drug-related content in model drug abuse prevention programs," R. J. W. Cline, et al. (abstract # 78065); "Dare to inform: The absence of prescription drug abuse information in D.A.R.E. curricula," Melissa C. Morris et al.; (abstract # 78064); "Prescription drug education: A systematic comparison of comprehensive health education curricula, CSAP designated model programs’ curricula, and D.A.R.E. curricula," Robert M. Weiler et al. (abstract # 78069)

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

"Abused" by Curricula? The Failure of Health and Drug Abuse Prevention Curricula to Address Prescription Drug Use and Abuse

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA