title: Reported Behaviors of Prescription-Drug Misuse and Medication Safety among Students Attending a Rhode Island University.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  College students are at high risk of illicit drug use, where nonmedical use of prescription medications ranks second behind marijuana. Assessment of college students' behaviors regarding prescription medication storage, disposal and sharing tendencies is needed to provide foundation for medication safety education on campuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students (n = 333) completed a prevalence survey assessing prescription medication use, storage and disposal activities upon obtaining prescription at the University pharmacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unsafe student practices of rarely/never storing medications in locked place (77%), improper medication disposal (81%), witnessing (28%) and admitting (27%) medication sharing was reported. Female students were more likely to store medications unlocked (p < 0.001). Students living on-campus were more likely to witness sharing of medications (p = 0.043), and students living off-campus were more likely to have shared prescription medications (p = 0.036).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Campus education is needed regarding safe medication storage, proper disposal of unused medications, and risks associated with sharing medications.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island, Department of Pharmacy Practice.
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.affiliation: Clinical Associate Professor, University of Rhode Island, Department of Pharmacy Practice.
authors.forename: Jayne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pawasauskas
authors.affiliation: Director, Medical Services, University of Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Procopio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000592:standards; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012237:Rhode Island; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal
keywords: drug disposal; medication storage; prescription misuse