California Poison Control System (CPCS) reminds Californians that the Red Ribbon Campaign offers a perfect opportunity to educate kids and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Observed October 23 through 31, the annual event reaches millions of U.S. children and families helping to educate them about the dangers of misusing both prescription and illegal drugs.
“The Red Ribbon Campaign offers an opportunity to help families open discussions on drug awareness,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, Medical Director for the Fresno/Madera Division of CPCS. “Research has shown that early drug abuse correlates with substance abuse—and other more serious—problems later in life. This is why it’s so important to talk about drug risks with kids. Those who learn about drug use and its associated dangers, particularly the risk counterfeit pills present, are less likely to start using drugs.”
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) published the following statistics:
2.08 million (or 8.33 percent) of 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide reported using drugs in the last month.
Among them, 83.88 percent report using marijuana in the last month.
Also, 591,000 teenagers from 12- to 17-years old used an illicit drug other than marijuana in the last month.
Among eighth graders, 8.7 percent have used illicit drugs in the last month.
A total of 21.3 percent of eighth graders have tried illicit drugs at least once.
By the time they’re in 12th grade, 46.6 percent of teens have tried illicit drugs.
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (number is the same in all states) for questions about poison encounters. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available. Follow CPCS on Facebook, on YouTube @californiapoisoncontrol, and on X @poisoninfo. Sign up for The California Poison Safety Post, California Poison Control System’s quarterly electronic newsletter, by visiting calpoison.org/newsletters. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
