Prescription drug abuse among teens is a growing and serious
problem that many parents are unaware of. Here's some important advice:
Get the facts. More teens abuse prescription drugs than
any illicit drug except marijuana. In 2006, more than 2.1 million teens
ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs.
The most commonly abused prescription medications are
painkillers, like OxyContin or Vicodin. These produce sensations of
euphoria and pleasure and are highly addictive. They can easily lead to
overdose when crushed and snorted or mixed with other drugs, such as
alcohol.
Depressants, such as Valium or Xanax, are also
commonly abused by teens. These drugs make users feel calm and reduce
anxiety and tension. They are addictive and can be deadly when used in
combination with prescription pain medications, some over-the-counter
(OTC) cold and allergy drugs, or alcohol.
In addition, stimulants, such as medications for ADD
and ADHD - Ritalin and Adderall --are being abused by many teens to "help study better" in response to excessive pressure to do well in school
or to suppress appetite for weight loss. These medications can be
addictive, cause feelings of fear or paranoia and lead to serious health
problems.
Some OTC medications, such as cough medications
containing dextromethorphan, are also abused by teenagers.
Talk to your teens about the risks, and be specific.Tell them that taking
prescription or OTC drugs without a doctor's approval and supervision can
be a dangerous - even deadly - decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs
are less harmful than street drugs because they are available through a
doctor or at the local drug store.
Take inventory in your own home and other homes your
teen has access to, such as grandma's or other relatives'. Lock up
medications or put them in a safe place where your kids or their friends
can't access them. Move your OTC medications to a safe place as well. Just
as you do for alcohol, make a note of the levels in each bottle. Do the
same at relatives' homes, especially older relatives, who often take
painkillers and would be less likely to notice a few pills missing.
Coordinate with the parents of your teen's friends to
make sure access to prescription and OTC drugs is restricted in their
homes, as well.
Be
familiar with the signs of abuse: Slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating,
nausea, vomiting, numbness of extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness and
dizziness.
Understand why teens abuse prescription and OTC drugs.
People abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. Many teens
point to personal or family-related stress as a major reason, including
stress around family life and relationships; academic competition; trying
to fit in; the balance between school work, grades, and extracurricular
activities like sports and clubs; and the desire to have the "ideal"
physical appearance.
Be vigilant about your teen's activities online. Anyone
who has a computer and a credit card can order prescription drugs online
even if they never see a doctor or get a written prescription. Routinely
monitor the Web sites your teen has visited and track purchases made with
a credit card. Be aware of what is mailed to your home.
Set a good example. Don't abuse or share prescription
drugs or over-the-counter medications.
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, take action. Talk
to your teen, reiterate your rules and expectations and enforce
consequences. To get help, contact your teen's school counselor,
pediatrician or family physician or call the National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-662-HELP for a listing of treatment
centers in your area. You can also find information online at http://dasis3.samhsa.gov
TIPS ON PREVENTING ABUSE
Think about your home. What prescription and
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs do you have? Where are they kept? Would you know
if some were missing? The good news is that you can take steps immediately to
limit access to these drugs and help keep your teen drug-free:
Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities
and control access. Take note of how many pills are in a bottle or
pill packet, and keep track of refills. This goes for your own medication, as
well as for your teen and other members of your household. If you find you have
to refill medication more often than expected, there could be a real problem - someone
may be taking your medication without your knowledge. If your teen has been
prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication, and monitor dosages and
refills.
Set clear rules for teens about all drug use,
including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider's
advice and dosages. Make sure your teen uses prescription drugs only
as directed by a medical provider and follows instructions for OTC products
carefully. This includes taking the proper dosage and not using with other
substances without a medical provider's approval. Teens should never take
prescription or OTC drugs with street drugs or alcohol. If you have any
questions about how to take a drug, call your family physician or pharmacist.
Be a good role model by following these same rules
with your own medicines. Examine your own behavior to ensure you set a
good example. If you misuse your prescription drugs, such as share them with
your kids, or abuse them, your teen will take notice. Avoid sharing your drugs
and always follow
your medical provider's instructions.
Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused
medicines in the trash. Unused prescription drugs should be hidden
and thrown away in the trash. So that teens or others don't take them out
of the trash, you can mix them with an undesirable substance (like used coffee
grounds or kitty litter) and put the mixture in an empty can or bag. Unless the
directions say otherwise, do NOT flush medications down the drain or toilet
because the chemicals can pollute the water supply. Also, remove any personal,
identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you
throw them away.
Ask friends and family to safeguard their
prescription drugs as well. Make sure your friends and relatives,
especially grandparents, know about the risks, too, and encourage them to regularly
monitor their own medicine cabinets. If there are other households your teen
has access to, talk to those families as well about the importance of
safeguarding medications. If you don't know the parents of your child's
friends, then make an effort to get to know them, and get on the same page
about rules and expectations for use of all drugs, including alcohol and
illicit drugs. Follow up with your teen's school administration to find out
what they are doing to address issues of prescription and over-the-counter drug
abuse in schools.
Talk to your teen about the dangers of abusing
prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These are powerful drugs that, when
abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs. Tell your teen the risks far
outweigh any "benefits."
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National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
TheAntiDrug.com Parenting Tips
Newsletter
An informative bi-weekly electronic newsletter for parents that highlights
different communicating and monitoring methods and skills in order to assist
parents in their efforts to raise drug-free children. To subscribe, visit here:
http://www.theantidrug.com/newsletter.asp.
Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent's
Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens
This free brochure identifies practical parenting skills that can help parents and
caregivers prevent a wide range of risky behaviors among teens and lead to
healthy, well-adjusted youth. Parenting experts provide a "nuts and bolts"
summary of research findings and translate those findings into everyday tips
The Teen Years: A Road Map for Parents
This free, interactive CD-ROM offers valuable information to help parents
understand today's teens and advice on how to best engage with them in order to
prevent risky behaviors. Special features include "Teens Today: An Inside
Look"; "Pressures on Today's Teens"; Drug Knowledge Quiz; "What's Your
Parenting Style?"; "Conversations for Parents"; and "Navigating the Teen Years:
A Parent's Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens."
Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A Family
Guide
This valuable resource specifically addresses the importance of family as a
drug deterrent and notes simple techniques that all parents can use to prevent
drug use. This brochure includes information about marijuana and other illicit
drugs, how parents can influence their kids, opportunities for starting a
discussion and what parents can do and say to keep their teen drug-free.
Download at www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/resources/general/General_Market_Parent_Guide.pdf
or order copies via e-mail at nyac@theantidrugmail.com
(Document No. PHD1114).
Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A Guide
for African American Parents and Caregivers
This valuable resource, specifically written for African American parents and
caregivers, includes information about marijuana and other illicit drugs. It
also discusses challenges that parents face, how parents can influence their
kids, opportunities for starting a discussion and what parents can do and say
to keep their children drug-free. This brochure outlines ways parents and
caregivers can draw on the strength of the African American community to assist
in raising healthy teens. Download at www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/resources/general/AA_Parenting_Guide.pdf
or order copies via e-mail at nyac@theantidrugmail.com
(Document No. PHD1116).
Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs or
Drinking? A Brief Guide to Action for Parents (Available in English and
English/Spanish editions)
Parents will want a copy of this valuable resource to take action if they
suspect or know that their teen is using drugs. This 12-page brochure covers
the challenges parents face, signs and symptoms to look for if they suspect
their teen is using illicit drugs or drinking, suggestions for starting a
discussion and what parents can do and say to keep their children drug-free.
Download the English edition at http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/resources/early_intervention/FINAL_EI_Parents_Brochure.pdf
or the bilingual edition at http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/resources/in-language/spanish_english_suspect.pdf.
Or order copies via e-mail at nyac@theantidrugmail.com
(Document No. PHD1056 (Eng.) and PHD1089 (Bil.)).
Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana: A
Guide for Parents
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among America's youth. Despite
the growing scientific evidence of the harm it can cause, many kids - as well
as parents and other adults - see the drug as benign. This brochure for parents
debunks popular myths and misconceptions about marijuana and provides tips on
how parents can keep their children from using the drug. Download at www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/resources/marijuana/Wake_Up_To_The_Risks_Brochure.pdf
or order copies via e-mail at nyac@theantidrugmail.com
(Document No. PHD956).
Treatment 4 Addiction is the net’s most comprehensive and frequently updated treatment center directory in the United States. Our national directory of treatment centers includes the SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) database, as well as many private treatment centers, therapists and addiction professionals. We also provide invaluable information through articles, videos and blogs on types of treatment, addictions, and mental health disorders.
The Parent Corps
Visit www.parentcorps.org
to learn more about how parents can help each other protect their kids by
banding together with other parents at their children's school.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Visit www.aap.org for advice
and information on parenting adolescents, including resources on health, risky
behaviors and setting limits around Internet, movies, television and other
media use.
KidsHealth for Parents Nemours Foundation
KidsHealth is the largest and most visited site on the Web providing
doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through
adolescence. Visit them at http://www.kidshealth.org/index.html.
Talking with Your Kids about Tough
Issues reference guide(English & Spanish) Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Free. Order online at www.talkingwithkids.org
or by calling 1-800-CHILD-44.
The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Free. Download online at www.teenpregnancy.org
in the "Free Downloads" section.
Shoulder to Shoulder: Raising Teens Together parent handbook
(English & Spanish) Minnesota Institute of Public Health
$1.95/copy. Order by visiting www.miph.org/hpr.
Booklets can also be ordered by calling 1-800-782-1878.
Alcohol, Tobacco & Illicit Drug Use:
Partnering with Families Partnership for a Drug-Free America
The Partnering with Families Web site (http://www.drugfree.org/Parent/) offers inspiring ways for
parents and caregivers to connect with their kids in ways that persuade them
not to use drugs.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA)
This Web site (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
offers a number of free resources and publications, as well as information on
the "Initiative on Underage Drinking" and the "Governors’ Spouses Initiative."
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Get the latest news and information on drunk-driving programs, laws and policy
by visiting http://www.madd.org/.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol &
Drug Information
A free public resource offering information, materials and referrals to local and
State substance abuse resources. Call toll-free at 1-800-729-6686 or visit
online at www.health.org.
Stop Underage Drinking
Visit www.stopalcoholabuse.gov,
a comprehensive portal of Federal resources on underage drinking, for
information about how to prevent kids from using alcohol.
Too Smart To Start
Visit online at www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov
for facts and tips on educating 9-13 year olds on the harms of alcohol use.
Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child
about Alcohol (English & Spanish) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
A booklet for parents. Download online at www.niaaa.nih,gov/publications
in the "Pamphlets, Brochures and Posters" section.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Visit www.tobaccofreekids.org
and click on the "Research & Facts" section for information and resources.
Relationships & Sexual Activity:
Parents, Speak Up! U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
A guide for parents on discussing abstinence, sex and relationships with your
teen. Download at www.4Parents.gov.
Parent Power: What Parents Need to Know
and Do to Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Free. Download online at www.teenpregnancy.org
in the "Resources" section.
Mental Health:
TheAntiDrug.com:
Marijuana and Mental Health National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
This section of TheAntiDrug.com (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/marijuana_mental_health.asp)
has concise, research-based information on how marijuana affects a teen's
mental health, all in an interactive format.
A Family Guide to Keeping Youth
Mentally Healthy & Drug Free
Visit www.family.samhsa.gov
to learn more about promoting mental health and preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco
and illegal drugs among 7- to 18- year olds.
Teens and Mental Health Fact Sheets National Mental Health Information Center
See the full list of available fact sheets by clicking on "Children and
Adolescent's Mental Health" at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/child/childhealth.asp.
To order, call 1-800-789-2647.
Facts for Families (Topics
related to mental health and adolescence) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Download online at www.aacap.org. View all
topics by clicking on "Facts for Families" in the "Publications" section.
AboutOurKids.org New York University Child Study Center
Teen Driving:
New Driver's Kit National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
Order or download online at www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear/kit.asp
or by calling 1-800-788-2800.
Road Ready Teens Parent Guide Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Daimler Chrysler
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