It’s probably not just “going to come up,” but a conversation about the risks of drug use has to occur between you and your teen. And since you are the parent, it begins with you.
Friends
and the family medicine cabinet are the major sources of these drugs. More
than seventy percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers say they
get them from family or friends.1
Others may abuse their own prescription medicine. Teens also report that
these drugs are not hard to find. About 40 percent of 12th graders say that
painkillers are fairly or very easy to get, and more than half say the same
of stimulants.2
Where
should you look to make sure prescription drugs are not readily available?
At
Home: A teen may scout his own home first if he's looking to get high from
prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
With
Friends: Talk with the parents in other households your teen has access to
about safeguarding medications
With
Relatives: Grandparents may be another source of prescription drugs for
teens. In fact, 10 percent of teens say they took drugs from friends or
relatives without asking.3
Where
are teens getting prescription drugs? Teens say they are readily available
-- in their own homes, from friends or relatives, and online pharmacies.
Check these hotspots in your own home and neighborhood, and learn how to
safeguard your prescriptions - and your teen.
Your
Home
A
teen may scout his own home first if he's looking to get high from prescription
or over-the-counter drugs. You can address this troubling trend by safeguarding
and monitoring all of the medications in your house- whether they're in your
bathroom, bedroom, teen's room, living room, kitchen, or garage.
1.
Bathroom
Bathroom
counter
Keep all medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, in a safe place -such as a locked cabinet- that you can monitor easily and that your teen
cannot access.
Examples
of over-the-counter and prescription drugs include Sudafed, Coricidin Cough and
Cold (Triple C), and Viagra.
Medicine
cabinet
Think carefully about the pills that are in your family's medicine cabinet. Do
you have Vicodin for your bad back? Percocet for that recurring knee injury?
Painkillers like these are the prescription drugs most likely to be abused by
teens. If you think your child might be abusing painkillers, look for signs
like constricted pupils, mood swings, personality changes, clumsiness, or
drowsiness.
Examples
of painkillers include OxyContin, Vicodin, and Tylenol with Codeine
Toilet
For environmental reasons, never flush any medications down the toilet or
drain, unless the prescription bottle specifically says you should.
Trashcan
If you have unneeded or expired medications, properly conceal and dispose of
them by putting them in a bag or container, and mixing them with something
unappealing, like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Then throw the bag in the
trash. Also, remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription
bottles or pill packages before you throw them away.
2.
Parents' Bedroom
Bedside
table
Remember that you are your child's most important role model. If you are taking
prescription or OTC drugs for sleep problems, explain to your teen why you are
taking them, that you keep track of your dosages, and that it is not safe to
use them without a medical provider's approval.
Examples
of common sleep aids include Ambien and Unisom.
3.
Teen's Bedroom
Drawer
There is a fine line between respecting your teen's privacy and keeping him or
her safe. Be alert for signs that your teen is in trouble, such as empty
medicine bottles or packages in his/her room. Also watch for signs such as
secretiveness, withdrawal from friends and family, or trouble in school.
Packages to look for include Robitussin, NyQuil, Zantrax, Phentramine, and
Ex-Lax.
Backpack
While many students appropriately take stimulants prescribed for attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some teens are sharing these drugs with
their friends to party or help them concentrate more in school. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 kids with a prescription for stimulant medication has been
approached with offers to sell, give, or trade their drugs. If your teen has a
prescription for stimulants, monitor dosage and the number of pills. Signs of
stimulant abuse include anxiety, flushed skin, excessive energy, lack of sleep,
irritability, or loss of appetite.
Examples of stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta.
4.
Living Room
Computer
Many Web sites provide detailed information on which prescription and OTC drugs -and how much of them- to take to get high, and for different effects.
Teens often swap stories of their drug experiences and offer "tips' on social
networking sites such as Facebook.com, which also may encourage risky behaviors.
They can also surf the Internet for hundreds of pharmacies that sell
prescription drugs without a prescription.
Always monitor your teen's time online, set limits and rules about which sites
are okay to visit, and check Web site histories.
If you suspect your teen is abusing depressants, look for warning signs,
including slurred speech, sleepiness, moodiness, forgetfulness, or
disorientation.
Examples of depressants include Xanax and Valium.
Mom's
purse
Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including carefully following
instructions and dosages, even for OTC products like pain relievers. If you set
a good example in your approach to all medicines, you will instill good habits
in your children.
Examples of OTC pain relievers include Tylenol, Advil, and Excedrin.
5.
Kitchen
Kitchen
counter
While you might not see a reason for teens to abuse blood pressure or
cholesterol-lowering medications, some teens might try any pills just to see what
effect they will have, or trade for other pills. Always keep track of pill
amounts, dosages, and the number of remaining refills. Be on alert for missing
pills and talk with your teen right away if you suspect they've been taken.
Examples of blood pressure medications and statins include Diovan and Lipitor.
Refrigerator
In addition to safeguarding your medications, be sure to monitor the number of
beer cans, wine and other alcohol bottles, as well as whipped cream cans in
your refrigerator. Teens can abuse these staples in combination with
prescription drugs or street drugs, resulting in dire consequences.
Examples
of alcohol and inhalants include beer, wine, and "whippets" or "whip hits"
(nitrous oxide used in whipped cream dispensers as a propellant).
6.
Garage
Car
Teen drivers admit to engaging in increasingly risky driving behaviors,
including taking drugs, drinking, and talking or text messaging on cell phones,
which are more likely to cause crashes. Before your teen gets behind the wheel,
talk about the dangers of drunk, drugged, and distracted driving.
Storage
Sniffing or huffing ordinary household items is dangerous and can even result
in death. Signs of an inhalant abuse problem include chemical odors on breath
or clothing, drunk or disoriented appearance, slurred speech, and missing
household items.
Examples of inhalants include computer screen cleaner, cooking spray, glue, and
nailpolish remover
7.
With Friends
Talk with the parents in other households your teen has access to about safeguarding
medications. Discuss what you do in your own home and encourage them to take
similar safety precautions. Specifically ask other parents not to give your
child any medications without your permission. You could also coordinate with
other parents to set up an "early warning system" to alert each other if you
suspect something is going on.
Cell
phone
Teens often get prescription and over-the-counter drugs from their friends. And
with cell phones and PDAs, they are able to instantly message with friends and
acquaintances about getting and partying with drugs.
Liquor
cabinet
Since many teens report mixing pills with alcohol and other drugs, it is
important to set clear rules for your teen about all drugs, including never
sharing, mixing, or taking someone else's medicine.
8.
Grandparents' House
Grandparents
may be another source of prescription drugs for teens. In fact, 10 percent of
teens say they took drugs from friends or relatives without asking. Talk to
your extended family about your concerns and ask them to safeguard their
medications.
Pillbox
Many seniors are on medications for chronic, long-term conditions and may not
monitor pill amounts closely or throw away expired medications. Offer to help
them take inventory and properly dispose of unused drugs.
9.
School
Talk
to school nurses, teachers, coaches, and counselors about teen prescription
drug abuse to ensure they are aware of the problem and know the warning signs.
Request that they notify you immediately if they notice anything unusual or
suspect your teen is abusing prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
10.
Store
Some
stores and retail chains have started to keep cough and cold medicines
containing dextromethorphan (DXM) behind the counter to help limit teen abuse
of these drugs. But teens often get around this by store-hopping or taking
turns buying these products. Be on the lookout for store receipts, empty
bottles of cough syrup, cans of whipped cream, or pill packets among your
teen's things. Also be aware if they tend to hit the grocery store before
heading out with friends.
Material
provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy
It's
probably not just "going to come up," but a conversation about the risks of
drug use has to occur between you and your teen. And since you are the parent,
it begins with you. The good news is that with a little practice and a little
preparation, you will find it's a conversation that not only gets easier and
easier over time, but one that can also save lives. TALK EARLY AND OFTEN Kids
are tempted to use alcohol, illicit drugs, and intentionally misuse
prescription drugs at much younger ages than you would like to believe. The key
is to discuss and agree on boundaries like curfews and choice of friends before
negative influences can grab hold. Also, monitor your teens' activities by
checking in and checking up on them. If the rules and restrictions are put in place
early, they will be easier to enforce later on.