Presciption drugs the new risk?

Published 6:41 pm Saturday, November 12, 2011

QUESTION: Are prescription drugs really the “new risk” for teenagers?

 

ANSWER: Studies are showing that more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug, except marijuana; more than cocaine, heroin and meth combined.

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Every day, 2,500 kids age 12-17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs.

Young people in our current culture can develop a very nonchalant attitude about pills, and wrongfully think that somehow they’re safer than using street drugs.

They don’t realize that taking other people’s medications can be really risky and that mixing prescription drugs is very dangerous. Adults must realize that the adolescent brain, particularly the pre- frontal cortex which is used for wise decision-making, is not fully developed.

That’s the reason kids we’ve raised and love might join in crazy party games like popping different kinds and colors of pills for the “effect.”

We must tell our kids how dangerous prescription drugs can be if taken when they are not needed or taken differently than prescribed. These are powerful drugs that, when abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs. Pills that treat pain are often opioids. Pills used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders are central nervous system depressants.

Pills that treat sleep disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are stimulants. Over the counter medications that are often abused are cough suppressants and sleep aids.

It is also our responsibility to make access to prescription drugs difficult. Teens are saying that prescription drugs are readily available in their own homes and from friends or relatives.

Follow these tips to safeguard your prescriptions and your teen: 1) take note of how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet and keep track of refills; 2) make sure everyone in your household uses prescription drugs only as directed by a physician and follows instructions for over the counter products carefully; 3) remember that, as always, you are the role-model; don’t share prescription drugs with other family members; 4) unused prescription drugs should not be kept; they can be disposed of at the Rx DROP BOX at the Law Enforcement Center; 5) finally, share the importance of being careful about prescription drugs with other family members and friends.

If you would like to talk with a parenting specialist about challenges in raising children, call the Parent WarmLine at 1-888-584-2204. Línea de Apoyo, 1-877-434-9528.

For free emergency child care, call Crisis Nursery at 1-877-434-9599. Check out www.familiesandcommunities.org.