School nurse joins Five Moms campaign

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association has added another parent to its campaign that is designed to raise parental awareness of teen cough medicine abuse.

CHPA said Peggy McKibbin, a mother of two and a school nurse from Magnolia, Del., has joined the organization's Five Moms campaign. CHPA launched the Five Moms campaign in 2007 with the goal of driving parents to action — to educate themselves on medicine abuse, to talk with their children about the risks of such abuse, to safeguard medicines in their homes and to spread the word to other parents.

The Five Moms campaign features five dedicated mothers from a variety of backgrounds and geographic locations. The four other moms on the campaign are:

• 
  

  Becky Dyer, a former D.A.R.E. officer and deputy sheriff;

  
  


• 
  

  Blaise Brooks, a caretaker and accountant;

  
  


• 
  

  Christy Crandell, an author and founder of a treatment and recovery center for teens; and

  
  


• 
  

  Tammy Walsh, a high school math teacher and community advocate.

  
  

"After hearing that some of my middle and high school students abused cough medicine to get high, I knew I needed to bring attention to this serious issue and help educate my students about the dangers of both OTC and prescription medicine abuse," said McKibbin, who also is a member of the National Association of School Nurses. "I am very passionate about creating a healthy and safe environment for my community and students which includes preventing medicine abuse. As one of the Five Moms, I am excited to have an even bigger platform to reach families and raise awareness of cough medicine abuse."

CHPA president and CEO Scott Meville added, "We are thrilled to have Peggy as the newest member of the Five Moms. Her dedication to protecting the health and well-being of teens throughout her 15 years as a school nurse demonstrates the passion she has for this issue. Peggy’s efforts show how every parent can use their unique role in their communities to educate parents about the dangers of medicine abuse and to encourage them to talk to their teens."

Interested in this topic? Sign up for our weekly Collaborative Care e-newsletter.