PhRMA, D.A.R.E. partner on anti-drug abuse curriculum

WASHINGTON The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and D.A.R.E. America jointly announced a new school curriculum Wednesday that helps counter abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

“The rise in medicine abuse, both prescription and OTC, requires action, and that is why we have worked with the manufacturers of these medicines and our own experts in developing this new curriculum,” noted Charlie Parsons, president and chief executive officer of D.A.R.E America.

The curriculum is comprised of components for students as well as presentations for parents, and was created by D.A.R.E. America, with the support and expertise of law enforcement officials; PhRMA; Abbott Laboratories; the Consumer Healthcare Products Association; the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Food and Drug Administration; the National Institute on Drug Abuse; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations’ Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

The new curriculum is being incorporated around the country into D.A.R.E.’s law enforcement officer-led classes during the 2007-2008 school year.