(COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 2, 2021) – Six inter/national organizations have partnered with Generation Rx, a national drug misuse prevention program housed at The Ohio State University, to enhance safe medication practices for fraternity and sorority chapters and campus communities nationwide. Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Nu, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha have collaborated to release new educational resources to help prevent prescription drug misuse among collegiate members.
This collaboration builds on the Generation Rx University Toolkit, which was first introduced in 2013. Generation Rx worked closely with the partners to revise existing toolkit messaging for fraternity and sorority audiences. In addition, the newly released resources now include a module focused on the misuse of sedatives. Using the University Toolkit for Fraternity and Sorority Life, campuses can now provide free prevention education focused on opioids, prescription stimulants, sedatives, and general safe medication practices.
“This collaboration is a great way to highlight how the Generation Rx resources are both universal and adaptable to specific audiences,” said Generation Rx director Nicole Kwiek, Ph.D. “I’m excited for the organizations to use these materials and help educate the next generation of young men and women on the importance of medication safety.”
“This collaboration is a great way to highlight how the Generation Rx resources are both universal and adaptable to specific audiences,” said Generation Rx director Nicole Kwiek, Ph.D. “I’m excited for the organizations to use these materials and help educate the next generation of young men and women on the importance of medication safety.”
The excitement for these resources is also shared by the organizations.
“The addition of the sedative misuse curriculum allows us to enhance and expand our Courage to Commit harm-prevention education series,” said Marla Williams, Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Director of Education and Training. “We all recognize the importance of this work given the substance use and misuse statistics around the country. By collaborating with our higher education partners and fellow Greek-letter organizations, we are fulfilling our mission of empowering our members through education for the betterment of the campus communities and beyond.”
This collaboration was greatly assisted by the efforts of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery (HECAOD) and its commitment to the well-being of fraternity and sorority communities. HECAOD, housed at Ohio State, is the premier alcohol and drug misuse prevention and recovery resource for colleges and universities across the nation. HECAOD helped the various organizations connect for this project.
The module will include a video, presentation slide deck, and facilitator guide. The guide outlines techniques for delivering the toolkit as an in-depth workshop as well as how to use the toolkit for shorter microlearning opportunities. These materials are free and can be easily presented by chapter officers, organization volunteers, student life professionals, or local medical professionals. While Generation Rx has historically focused on in-person programming, virtual delivery tips and tricks are included to expand the opportunities for today’s campus climate.
Molly Downing, Ph.D., associate director of Generation Rx, led the creation of these materials in collaboration with the fraternity and sorority organizations.
“We are very excited to see this collaboration come to life. These new materials are addressing a well-documented need for relatable and effective ways of teaching medication safety to young adults,” said Downing. “Chapters across the country can be leaders in starting these important conversations about health and safety. We hope that by expanding our resources and collaborating with these great organizations, we can combat prescription drug misuse in new ways.”
The new resources are available at http://go.osu.edu/genrxfslife. The original University Toolkit was created in partnership with college students for college students to help prevent prescription drug misuse on university campuses. This toolkit, like all of the Generation Rx toolkits, is available for free along with several other audience-specific resources at GenerationRx.org.
