Teens can be influenced by peer pressure and compelled to take prescription drugs to relieve emotional stress. This can lead to addiction, abuse, and even overdose.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 70% of 12 and older children received prescription drugs from a friend or relative, rather than a dealer.
“Each day, more than 2,000 teens begin abusing prescription medications, believing that doctor-prescribed medicine is safer to experiment with than illegal drugs,”Steve Pasierb is president and CEO at The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Parents and grandparents take great pains to prevent poisoning in young children by keeping household chemicals out of the reach,”According to Pasierb. “The same approach needs to be taken to safeguard medications in the home.”
First, you need to learn about the dangers.
How to intervene. The website www.RxSafetyMatters.orgProvides information for parents and other community groups about how to prevent prescription drug abuse.
Here are some tips for parents:
* Learn to recognize the signs of abuse. These warning signs include mood swings that are sudden and unexpected, changes in social circles, secretive behavior or excessive sleeping, as well as changes in appearance and hobbies. These symptoms often appear in groups.
* Monitor your medications. Keep track of all prescription drugs in your house and any remaining pills. Your medications should be kept safe. Dispose of expired or no longer needed medications.
* Educate others. Talk to neighbors, relatives, and parents of children who live near you. The elderly take more prescriptions so grandparents are often a source for pills. Talk to your teen’s PTA and encourage others to take preventative steps to stop prescription drug abuse.
* Talk to your children, and listen for clues. Be sure to teach your children about the dangers of using prescription drugs, but don’t give any details about drug abuse. Ask these questions and listen to your children: “Who are they meeting, what will they be doing, and where will they be?”
Download the free guide to learn how to stop prescription drug abuse. “Parents Guide to Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse”At www.RxSafetyMatters.org. Purdue Pharma L.P. developed www.RxSafetyMatters.orgAs a public service, to combat prescription drug abuse.
