We have structured the infographic as a narrative to illustrate the process of prescription drug abuse and its aftermath. The story begins with how access to the pills is facilitated through friends/family/prescriptions. The negative effects are depicted as a fall from a ramp – to illustrate a poorer quality of life ultimately resulting in tragic consequences. The fall from the ramp is sudden and unanticipated as may be the case in several drug abuse situations. The gears serve as information units illustrating pie-charts and other statistical information on the “initiates” while also serving as a metaphor for the mechanical nature of addiction that could consume an individual until intervention is facilitated. We have depicted 3 major consequences to drive home the danger of prescription drug abuse. The diagonal division is used to bring to light the consequences that might either not known or if known, might be denied by the abuser. The ramp provides visual continuity between the 2 sections.

References

1) http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11Results/NSDUHresults2011.htm 2) http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.html# 3) http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/