Pharmacy student speaks at Gainesville schools about dangers of medication abuse

Sandra Virga Wade, a 2008 Gainesville High School graduate and now a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy Degree candidate at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, spoke recently to Gainesville Elementary and Junior High students about the dangers of drug use. Her appearance here was part of the schools’ Red Ribbon Week observance, a campaign to prevent drug abuse and addiction.
In a statement about her work with the students, Wade said, “As a graduate of Gainesville High School, I recognize the need for students to learn about medication safety. Medications may seem safer compared to illicit drugs ... but using them inappropriately can be as dangerous as using illicit drugs.
“Growing up in Ozark County, I was always taught about illicit drugs but was never really educated on the dangers of abusing medications.”
She cited a 2016 Missouri student survey conducted by the Missouri Department of Health that said 14.5 percent of sixth through 12th grade students surveyed admitted to abusing a prescription medication. The same survey reports that the two most common types of prescription medications abused are pain medications and sleeping medications. The most common reasons for using these medication wasn’t to get high or to fit in with a peer group but to treat pain and help bring on sleep, Wade said. “However, these particular types of medications can be very dangerous, especially to young people taking them without the supervision of a physician,” she said.
She expressed thanks to parents, educators, school officials and students “for allowing me the privilege to speak to their children about medication safety.”
She urges parents to talk to their children about medicine. “The more children know, the more sound decisions they can make when they are faced with peer pressure,” Wade said, adding, “I love this little county! I want it to be a safe community for all people – especially young people. I wanted to share my knowledge with the students, and I also want to encourage the members of the community to get involved.”
Wade said brochures are available at Court Square Pharmacy listing tips and online resources for talking with children about medication.

Pharmacy student speaks at Gainesville schools about dangers of medication abuse