DoSomething.org and the CVS Health Foundation Team Up to Educate Young People About Prescription Medication Abuse and Misuse via Text Message

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, DoSomething.org, a global movement for good and the CVS Health Foundation announce a new campaign called Explain the Pain Text. Abuse and misuse of prescription pain medication has reached epidemic levels in the US. In fact, 44% of people personally know someone who has been addicted to pain medication¹. The Explain the Pain Text campaign asks young people to share an SMS text message resource with friends to educate them on ways to keep friends safe from prescription pain medication abuse and misuse.

From today through December 31, young people can visit DoSomething.org/Explain to sign up for the campaign and share the text message resource with friends. People who sign up will receive a short, 10-minute SMS experience with tips on how to help someone suffering from an addiction, intervention tactics, and ways to keep their community safe.

"Young people listen to other young people," said Adam Garner, Campaigns Manager at DoSomething.org. "If you want them to change their mind or take an issue seriously, they're more likely to do it if their friend tells them to. That's why we built Explain the Pain Text as a tool for young people to educate their friends and help them start the conversation about the issue of prescription pain medication abuse and misuse."

To kick off the campaign, DoSomething.org has released a video on social media educating young people on the prescription pain medication epidemic.

"We are committed to helping communities prevent prescription medication abuse, and we know DoSomething.org is a leader in reaching young people and providing support around key issues that affect them," said Eileen Howard Boone, President, CVS Health Foundation. "Through this partnership we will raise awareness of the dangers of prescription medication misuse and share critical information around proper disposal of medications and healthy behaviors for young people."

The campaign will also encourage young people and their families to participate in The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day happening on October 22nd across the country. It's a day which aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs that are expired or no longer needed.

To learn more about the Explain the Pain Text, click here.

To view the video, click here.

About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is a global movement for good.

We're activating 5.3 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, both online and off. And it's already happening in every area code in the US and in over 131 countries! When you take action with DoSomething.org, you join something bigger than yourself. You team up with the young people who've run the largest sports-equipment drive. And clothed over half of America's teens in homeless shelters. And cleaned up 3.7 million(!) cigarette butts around the world. You've got the power and the passion to make a difference on any issue you want -- we'll help you get it done. Welcome to DoSomething.org. LET'S DO THIS.

About CVS Health 
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

¹ Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: April 2016 http://files.kff.org/attachment/topline-methodology-kaiser-health-tracking-poll-april-2016

SOURCE DoSomething.org

Related Links

http.//www.dosomething.org