About 15 million people age 12 or older in the United States used prescription drugs non-medically in the past year, and prescription drugs are abused more often than any other drug, except marijuana and alcohol, according to a national study. Some segments of the population are particularly susceptible to prescription drug misuse based on a study a few years ago by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For example, youths aged 12 to 17, or young adults aged 18 to 25, were more likely to misuse prescription drugs in the past year than adults aged 26 or older.

What’s more, emergency room visits related to medication overdose or drug abuse are on the rise nationwide. Whether you’re a parent, coach, teacher, or community leader, there are myriad resources to help you do your part in curbing medication misuse and drug abuse.