Prescription Drug Abuse Campaign Launched

The “Take Care WV” campaign recently launched to raise awareness and offer support to those dealing with prescription drug abuse. Abuse and misuse of prescription medication is a serious problem in West Virginia and across the nation. This issue has seen extensive news coverage recently due to the tragic deaths of many celebrities, such as Corey Haim, Brittany Murphy, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein, among others. Many of these celebrity deaths, like most deaths that result from prescription drug misuse and abuse, were accidental and might have been prevented.

The “Take Care WV” campaign includes billboards, print ads, television and radio spots, a website and social marketing. The campaign’s overall message likened prescription drugs to illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. Materials focused on the aspects of prescription drug misuse and abuse that people often overlook, such as drug interactions, allergies and illegal sharing of prescription drugs.

The campaign also includes the website www.takecarewv.org, which launched on May 12^th.