Pharmacy Technician students take part in drug awareness initiative

Every year, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Injury and Substance Misuse Prevention Program offers an initiative called The RACE Against Drugs. This interactive drug education program aimed at Grade 5s uses the sport of auto racing to capture the attention of young people as they move through each “pit stop.” Pharmacy Technician students had their own pit stop called Knowledge is the Best Medicine.

The students worked in shifts to staff the pit stop, dispensing information and answering questions. Some key messages they conveyed to the Grade 5s were:

• A pharmacist is someone you can trust to answer questions about drugs
• Only take meds prescribed by the doctor for you, or given by a parent/guardian
• Never share medication
• Medicine is not candy – if you don’t know what it is, don’t take it

Toni Cano, co-ordinator of Georgian’s Pharmacy Technician program, says the students who have participated in this annual event have enjoyed the opportunity to be involved and give back to the community. And there are other benefits, she adds.

“Not only is The Race Against Drugs a great networking opportunity for the students, but it’s also an opportunity for them to enhance their resumés, learning portfolios and co-curricular records,” she says.

The initiative is offered in partnership with the Barrie Police, Simcoe County District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka District School Board, YMCA and Simcoe County Paramedics.