The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center has launched a new campaign that will be in full swing in October! Prescription drug misuse and abuse is on the rise in Iowa. More than 70% of people aged 12 and up who misuse or abuse say they obtained prescription drugs from a friend or family member. The purpose of the Iowa Medicine TLC campaign is to educate Iowa parents on the dangers of abusing or misusing prescription and OTC medications. The campaign focuses on providing guidance and resources on how to protect your children and others you care about.

Iowa Medicine TLC:

Talk to your children about the proper use of medicines and the risks of misusing them;

Lock up or store prescription drugs in a secure location that can be monitored, and safely dispose of unused medicines;

Connect with the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center for help to prevent prescription drug misuse and abuse.

What behaviors are symptoms of a mental disorder? What behaviors are not? And who decides?

In the United States, the most important decision-makers on this subject arguably are the group of scientists who are responsible for updating the preeminent text on the subject of mental disorders, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The fifth edition of this text (DSM-5) was released earlier this year.