Misuse of prescription opioids and stimulants has become a serious public health problem in the United States. This epidemic has become an issue for Ozarks. According to the Greene County Health Department, the rate of opioid overdose deaths quadrupled between 2000 and 2015. Just recently, in Springfield, emergency personnel responded to 13 drug overdoses in just one day.
To help raise awareness of this epidemic, the OTC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society for community college students, will host a multi-day awareness campaign at the OTC Springfield Campus.
Kicking Prescription Addiction: Awareness and Prevention Event November 5-8
To kick off the week of events, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Phi Theta Kappa students will unveil spotlight stories about individuals they have known who have struggled with prescription drug addiction. These stories will be on display in the Hamra Family Library Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 8.
Also on Tuesday, Legacy Tattoo artists will be in the Jared Family Atrium offering temporary tattoos to help raise awareness about prescription addiction. Students can receive free tattoos drawn with Sharpie pens by professional tattoo artists. OTC Counseling Services staff will also be on hand to discuss resources available to students and the campus community.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Students may participate in a workshop led by Springfield’s Discovery Center in The Jared Family Atrium. The opportunity allows participants to learn more about prescription addiction. The workshop times will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
To wrap up the week, OTC Fine Arts students will reveal a 3D art piece in tribute to “Kicking Prescription Addiction” on Friday, Nov. 8 in the Jared Family Atrium.
For more information about Kicking the Prescription Addiction: Awareness and Prevention Week, contact Steve Fritts, PTK chapter advisor, at frittss@otc.edu.
