SmartRx program introduced at West Liberty University to educate students about proper medication usage
The program falls under a nationwide initiative started by the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Program and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute to help combat opioid overdoses on college campuses.
West Liberty University has introduced the SmartRx program on campus as part of the nationwide Be The One initiative as laid out by the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Program and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute. The program will educate students about proper medication usage and storage to help fight the battle against opioid addictions.
According to an article on West Liberty University’s website, Christy Bennington, who serves as the Director of Student Health Services, was quoted as saying of the program’s mission, “We are excited to launch the Smart RxU Program at West Liberty University. This program will not only educate our students about the importance of medication safety but will also empower them to become advocates for safe medication practices in our community.”
One student, Bailee Smith, was chosen to be the program’s ambassador, and will help spread the word on campus and educate her fellow students about the dangers of misusing medications. Smith will go through training to become a trainer, and then will train other students herself.
Smith is looking forward to her role in the program. She said of the opportunity, “I am honored to be chosen as the ambassador for the Smart RxU Program at West Liberty University. This program is incredibly important as it educates students about the safe use of medications and the potential dangers of misuse. I look forward to promoting medication safety on our campus and empowering my peers to make informed decisions about their health.”
The information Smith and the nine other students who have committed to being trainers will learn includes statistics about medication misuse, how to define and describe medication misuse, how to store medications properly and securely, and the importance of taking medications only as they have been prescribed by a doctor.
The goal is to have all of the trainers trained by April 15 so that they can go on and begin spreading the word to the rest of campus.
The Be The One initiative, started by the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Program and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, aims to help stop opioid overdoses and encourages students and faculty to learn what to do to help.
For more information about West Liberty University, visit the school’s website.