Preventing ADHD Medication Misuse | The Jed Foundation
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Preventing ADHD Medication Misuse

The nonmedical use, abuse, and misuse of ADHD prescription stimulant medication is a critical issue among college-aged teenagers and young adults. In 2018, 15.9% of college students reported misusing stimulants. College students primarily misuse prescription stimulant medication believing it will result in academic gain, but as the issue persists, the reasons for misuse have expanded to include misusing prescription stimulants to party, lose weight, and even to improve athletic performance.

In 2014, the Coalition to Prevent ADHD Medication Misuse (CPAMM) was formed with the aim of preventing the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription stimulant medication, with an initial focus on college students. Initially a founding member, JED acquired and adopted CPAMM content into our programming and outreach efforts in 2021.

Resources for Students

  • For Students Who Have an ADHD Medication Prescription
  • For Students Who Do Not Have an ADHD Medication Prescription

Resources for Professionals

For six years from 2014 to 2020, CPAMM (The Coalition to Prevent ADHD Medication Misuse) raised awareness and shared valuable resources on CPAMM.org with key influencers like college administrators, athletic coaches, and on-campus health counselors. In 2021, JED acquired and adapted CPAMM’s content into our programming and outreach efforts.

In 2017, CPAMM completed research to help inform messaging to the key target of college students. The resulting toolkit, which you can download below, highlights common misperceptions of prescription stimulant misuse and reinforces positive behavior using data-informed messaging. Through peer-to-peer acknowledgement that 84% of college students do not misuse, we can help undermine social norming of the issue.1

The toolkit, composed of posters, radio scripts, social media content, and digital banners, is turn-key and easily customizable. We encourage you to take action and download the campaign toolkit. Together, we can continue to help prevent misuse, abuse and diversion, and encourage students to find better ways to cope with the everyday stress of college life.

1 The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy Office of Student Life. (2018). 2018 College Prescription Drug Study: Key Findings. https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/sites/default/files/2018%20College%20Prescription%20Drug%20Study.pdf

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