Pharmacy school students to partner with SockKids

Created by Michael John Sullivan, The SockKids characters teach children about universal messages of good behavior and healthy choices.

niversity of Mississippi School of Pharmacy students are partnering with The SockKids, a children’s animated video and book series, to bring drug safety messages to young audiences across the nation.

Student members of the university’s American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists will work with SockKids to produce animated videos that teach children about using caution around medications.

“We hope to equip the children with a foundation to know how to use medications safely before their teen and adult years,” said Lauren Bloodworth, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice and APhA-ASP adviser.

Created by Michael John Sullivan, The SockKids are a mismatched family of socks that time travels through the spin cycle of the washer and teaches children about universal messages of good behavior and healthy choices.

“It’s a perfect fit for us to be a part of this amazing project with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy,” Sullivan said. “Our goal is to reach millions of children in the classrooms and in other vehicles where it’s suitable.”

Members of APhA-ASP are familiar with educating young people about drug safety. They routinely participate in Generation Rx, a national educational program that increases public awareness of prescription medication abuse.

“Our APhA-ASP chapter members have used their passion, innovation and dedication to develop a Generation Rx program for our community,” said Kelsey Stephens, rising third-year professional student and president of the student organization. “The SockKids videos will allow our chapter and all APhA-ASP chapter members to enhance their presentations and reach individuals across the country.”

The animated videos will supplement the Generation Rx Initiative Medication Safety Patrol materials that focus on medication safety principles, Bloodworth said. Four of these principles will be highlighted in the videos:

• Only take medicine given by a trusted adult.
• Do not share medication or take someone else’s medication.
• Keep medications in their original containers to avoid confusion with candy or other medicines.
• Always store medicine in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet or high shelf that children can’t reach.

David D. Allen, the pharmacy school’s dean, is excited about the partnership.

“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to convey drug safety information to children through this imaginative outlet,” Allen said. “With important messages delivered by delightful characters such as ‘Wooly,’ ‘Bleach’ and ‘Sudsy,’ our students and The SockKids are certain to make a difference in the lives of children.”

For information on The SockKids, visit http://thesockkids.com.