Most commonly abused medicine

Teen's Rx Drugs of Choice For Abuse

	How they work	Abused by teens to:	Drug names
Strong Pain Relievers	Used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain, these medications block pain signals to the brain.	Get high, increase feelings of well being by affecting the brain regions that mediate pleasure	Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, Lorcet, Lortab, Actiq, Darvon, Codeine, Morphine, Methadone
Stimulants	Primarily used to treat ADHD type symptoms, these speed up brain activity causing increased alertness, attention, and energy that comes with elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate and breathing.	Feel alert, focused and full of energy—perhaps around final exams or to manage coursework, lose weight	Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Concerta
Sedatives or Tranquilizers	Used to slow down or "depress" the functions of the brain and central nervous system pressure, increased heart rate and breathing.	Feel calm, reduce stress, sleep	Valium, Xanax, Activan, Kloropin, Restoril, Ambien, Lunesta, Mebaral, Nembutal, Soma

Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit—from awareness to action

Partnership @ DrugFree.org Newsfeed

Support and Resources for Parents Dealing with Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse

In Case You Missed It: Excerpt from “Meet The Parents Hour” with Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern

The Partnership at Drugfree.org featured award-winning TV personality, chef and father Andrew Zimmern during an exciting, live chat and Q&A with our Facebook community this...
A New Paradigm for Substance Abuse Treatment

Substance abuse treatment is committed to abstinence from nonmedical drug use. Yet, continued nonmedical drug and alcohol use and relapse are so common that they...
Study of Siblings’ Brains Provides Clues to Addiction

A new study of siblings’ brain structure and function may provide clues to addiction. Time reports that the study suggests at least some brain changes...
Smoking Linked With Increased Risk of Psoriasis

A new study links smoking with an increased risk of psoriasis. Heavy smokers, and those who smoke for many years, are at greatest risk.
Indiana’s “Blue Law” May Leave Some Unprepared Super Bowl Revelers Alcohol-Free

Indiana’s “blue law,” which bans carryout liquor sales on Sundays, may leave some unprepared Super Bowl visitors alcohol-free, according to the Associated Press.
Army Investigates Link Between Two Soldiers’ Deaths and Dietary Supplements

The U.S. Army is investigating a possible link between the death of two soldiers and popular dietary supplements containing dimethylamylamine, or DMAA.
CADCA National Leadership Forum to Focus on Fighting Substance Abuse

Substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists will meet February 6-9 in Washington, D.C., for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 22nd annual National Leadership Forum.
Judge Suggests Graphic Cigarette Labels May Violate Free Speech of Tobacco Companies

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon suggested Wednesday that a federal rule that would require cigarette packages to carry graphic warning labels could violate tobacco companies’...
Defense Department Expands Drug Testing Program

The Defense Department announced this week it is expanding its drug testing program to include hydrocodone and benzodiazepines. The program already tests for codeine and...

UPC in the News

Panel Addresses College Drinking

Unified Prevention Coalition hosts event at McLean High School. By Alex McVeigh, Connection Newspaper, Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County and the McLean High School PTSA presented "Perils of the College Drinking Culture" Wednesday, Jan. 11. The program featured a panel of speakers who discussed the health and legal consequences of underage and binge drinking, as well as a short film.

Students and Parents Learn About Pressures of Binge-Drinking

McLean High School PTSA hosts a panel discussion on the Perils of the College Drinking Culture, sponsored by the Unified Prevention Coalition. By Lori Baker, Mclean Patch
Read more

Fairfax County students warned about dangers of drinking at college

By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, January 11, 2:39 AM

McLEAN, Va. — College-bound high school students in Fairfax County are getting a warning about the prevalence of binge drinking on campus.

Tips for Talking with Teens

Tis the Season to Talk of Teens, Drinking, Drugs and the Holidays. Becky York of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County sent along these reminders of teens, drinking and the holiday. Read complete Mclean Patch article

FCPS Recognizes local FCPS School

Unified Prevention Coalition Recognizes FCPS

Thursday, December 01, 2011

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) has recognized Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for spearheading the creation of school-community coalitions working for alcohol, drug, and violence prevention and supporting the transition of the umbrella organization into an independent countywide coalition.

UPC Highlighted on Cox Communications

Unified Prevention Coalition Executive Director Diane Eckert and Fairfax County Police Department's Bruce Ferguson discuss with Cox Communications efforts by the county coalition to prevent violence and drug and alcohol abuse by our youth.

Banner homepage

Parents Who Host, Lose the Most

New Youth Survey Results

Saturday Night in the Suburbs