Our youth are facing a crisis! The misuse of prescription drugs, including painkillers (Opioids), benzodiazepines (Xanax), stimulants (Adderall and Ritalin), and Fentanyl among teens and young adults is on the rise, so too are addiction and overdose rates. There is an urgent need to reduce opioid misuse, abuse, overdose and diversion, and educate young people about the highly addictive, and potentially deadly, nature of these prescription medications.

As educators, policy makers, and concerned citizens, having the information needed to help young people make responsible decisions regarding drug use is not enough. What we need are effective communication strategies for education. Previous educational programs have identified the urgency of stopping addiction and drug use in younger generations. These efforts, however, have fallen short. Although they’ve preached the dangers of drug use, such campaigns have failed to engage youth in a meaningful way. The days of scare tactics are over. Todays’ youth want to engage in programs that empower them to be part of the solution. If drug-related deaths amongst this generation are to be prevented, we must equip youth with the tools that provide an immersive solution that communicates this life-saving information through interactive ways.

Enter FEND (Full Energy, No Drugs)—the first prevention campaign of its kind to incorporate gamification, individualization, and real-time reporting.

Created by the Preventum Initiative, FEND is an opioid education and prevention campaign that provides crucial knowledge about the risks of prescription opioids (and other medications and illegal drugs), addiction and overdose through an interactive smartphone app. By engaging youth on a platform they’ve already mastered—their smartphone—FEND encourages young people to take responsibility for their choices by transmitting life-saving information effectively and meaningfully.

FEND encourages teens to take control of their health while watching out for the wellbeing of friends by presenting crucial facts, figures, and tips for helping loved ones who may be misusing or dependent on prescription medications. FEND also incorporates information on mental illness, behavioral problems and suicide, providing youth with coping skills to improve their resiliency and mental wellness. This information is all presented in engaging and relevant ways. As youth engage, they complete missions and earn rewards, which can be redeemed for prizes and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences.