New Educational Program Introduced Aimed Towards Preventing Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
There is a new educational program launched in Pennsylvania that focuses on prescription drug abuse among high school and middle school students. The program, known as “Consequences: Rx Abuse,” aims to inform teachers, parents, and students statewide about the dangers of abusing prescription medication and the long-term effects that can result, according to Attorney General Linda Kelly.
It is interesting to see that the program is taking an informative approach rather than trying to ‘scare children straight’. According to Kelly, “The purpose of the ‘Consequences’ program is not to scare students or give them the idea that medications are harmful. When used under the direction and supervision of a doctor, prescription drugs are safe. However, when mixed, abused, taken with alcohol and taken without authorization, the results can be deadly.” It is a good thing to see that action is being taken against the epidemic of prescription medication abuse.
The Problem Is Getting Worse
According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey that was recently released, the number of students that were using drugs without actually having a doctor’s prescription was more than one in five. In the end it does not matter if it is done intentionally (using medication for the feelings elicited, in a way that is other than prescribed, or taking it without a prescription) or misuse (mistakenly or unknowingly taking a prescription drug other than directed or intended). The consequences can be dangerous, even life threatening.
Part of the problem is that many students mistakenly believe that getting a high or buzz from prescription drugs are somehow ‘safer’ than using illegal street drugs. Most of the teens that were questioned about their prescription drug medication use admitted that it was relatively easy to get these drugs from relatives or friends. It is not just the children that need to be educated on the risks of abuse and misuse of prescription drugs; parents also need to realize that they play an important role in the education of their children.
Educating Oneself On The Issue
It is important that people educate themselves on the misuse and medical use of prescription medication. For the most part, the use of these drugs has remained an unaddressed problem. There are three major types of drugs that are often abused:
- Pain relievers (OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet)
- Sedatives (Valium, Xanax)
- Stimulants (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall)
Sometime these types of medications are taken to achieve a high or feel good, other times they are taken by students to stay up all night, boost their mood, or reduce anxiety and stress in their life. It is important that people realize what they are putting in their bodies. There is a reason that side effects, possible interactions, and other information is always discussed before someone is prescribed any type of medication. It is important to know what is being taken, and how it might affect you and other medications that you may or may not be taking.
Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse
There are many steps people can take to prevent prescription drug abuse, at least in their home. Take a moment and think about how many OTC (over-the-counter) and prescription medications you have lying around your home right now. Where do you keep most of them, are they secured or could anyone reach them, would you notice if a few pills of your medication went missing? These steps should become standard for anyone living with children or teenagers:
- Control access, monitor quantities – As already asked before, would you notice if a few of your tablets or pills would go missing? Keep track of refills, and make sure that you make note of how many pills come in a packet or bottle. This does not just go for medication you may be using, but also for what any other members of your household may be using. One quick way to notice potential abuse is by seeing whether refills are required more often than you would normally expect. Even if one of your children has a prescription, there is nothing wrong with you controlling the medication, including monitoring refills and dosages.
- Practice what you preach – The most important thing any parent or guardian can do is to be a good role model themselves. If you are not careful with your medication that has been prescribed to you or even abusing it, why would you expect anything different from people living in your household? Be sure to follow your medical provider’s instructions and avoid sharing medication as much as possible. It is not a bad idea to examine your own behavior and think about how it may be perceived by others.
- Ask others to do their part – Make sure people around you know about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. This includes relatives, friends, and especially grandparents. Instead of demanding a change from them, explain why you would like them to take care of their prescribed drugs and become aware of their own supply.
- Clear rules and boundaries – It is important to set clear rules, this includes always following the dosages and advice by the medical provider and not sharing medication. It is important that kids and teens are aware of the dangers of mixing medication without discussing it with your medical provider first. Never take these types of medication with alcohol or illegal street drugs. Make it standard that if there is a question about medication, you ask a pharmacist or your family physician.
- Always dispose and conceal unneeded or old drugs – Many people forget about this step, even if they lock their medication away. They dump it in the trash afterwards and forget about it. Always make sure that the medication is hidden from plain sight. If possible, remove personal, identifiable information as well to avoid the potential for fraud.
August 8th, 2012 at 5:03 am
Sometimes its the parents who need to be educated. Instead of giving much BS about their roles and how their right, they should reach out. Theres more to us kids and other young adults using drugs. It means something much more than just being rebels or trying to find identity. Cut the bullshit. Most time parents get it wrong! Hell, they should get this info and not just the ones doing drugs.
August 16th, 2012 at 1:35 am
Come on, folks. The old ways work here. Parents guide your children. Don’t let them off the hook. Set rules in your own home. Be available for them. Shower them with love and attention. Get them interested in sports, arts, etc. Know their dreams, their passions and their friends. Be there for them.
For sure, there’s very thin chances of them ever thinking of doing drugs. That’s that!
September 13th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I’m a mom who is really interested in talking out with my three boys (ages 15, 12 and 10) about the dangers of drug abuse. Now I know the basics in getting them to understand on prescription meds, especially bec. I was more focused on the connection of marijuana, street drugs and other narcs. The fact that what’s in our medicine cabinet was overlooked
So thank you for all the information here. It gives me lots of ideas to start out our usual mom-and-sons outdoors conversations. By the way, I take pride in getting them into their interests, and it’s not just sports. Instead, they’re into community work, music and outdoors, and giving them opportunities to do weekend tasks for a fee in our family’s farm. It gets them off the wrong crowd and temptations of drugs. But more importantly, they are able to determine for themselves their self value and get to spend time with us the parents and their siblings.
Now this is not to say I’ve got perfect kids. My sons have their own days. I think what makes it very close to perfect is because they know they can always come to us if they have questions about anything, particularly growing up.
November 27th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
As a mom it’s a challenge to educate four kids of healthy living. In particular they are facing confusion with the “fun” the friends are getting with alcohol and drugs, while at home, parents are “monsters” for having so many rules. But its a continuing challenge and we keep them informed about the goings on so that they’d not be too curious, or curious enough to try drugs.
While we’re pretty confident that we’re a stronger influence as parents over the issue of marijuana, street drugs and even drinking alcohol, we’re focusing on the issue of prescription meds. This is because they mentioned its popularity among friends they have at school.
I’d like to share some pointers how to go about it successfully, so that parents out there learn as well.
Even when used legally, opiate-based prescription drugs can become addictive – this is the first thing we stress. They’d hear us discuss this and the alternatives with our physician, dentist, pharmacist or other health provider.
If prescription painkillers are prescribed, ask for only a few days’ supply so you aren’t tempted to use more and so leftover pills don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Also, as parents and community member, do raise this issue with health organizations, professional associations and other groups so that prescribing painkillers no longer is the norm — and the expectation of patients — in most situations.
Now, at home, the rules are rules. We never share prescription drugs with anyone else.Don’t hang onto leftover prescription painkillers “just in case someday I really hurt.” Take them to the local police department or to a drug-turn-in event for disposal. Leftover pills are popular with thieves, with burglars and with kids who want to experiment. So talk with your kids about the dangers of prescription painkillers — and of taking any pill without parents’ approval
I know that we can not leave this as an issue for law enforcement to “fix.” It’s a family concern and parents are heads of the family. So we should be able to impart wisdom on such matter!
January 21st, 2013 at 5:02 pm
After three years of living in LA, it’s clear that kids here are going to need much more than parental guidance and being closed in by school authorities. When it comes to drugs, drinking and experimentation with anything even if they know it’s dangerous. Being a teacher, it often leaves me restless and helpless, particularly when it’s obvious that some of the kids show traces of drugs and drug abuse problems. The best we can do is cooperate with authorities, intensify our drug abuse prevention programs, befriend students so they come to us for help, and educate them the best way possible. Two students have already been hospitalized for drug overdose, around 15 have been in accidents due to drug and drunk driving, and roughly 30 dropped out – just didn’t come back after the holidays, and there’s one recorded death from drug overdose. That’s not something I would see in Daly City where we used to live. It only goes to say that we need to strengthen our educational system to make sure that schools are effective weapons against teen drug abuse, whatever the form is.
February 4th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Trust me on this – a kid or teenager should hear it from their parents. Sometimes let’s face it, mom’s too busy and maybe dad’s always away. Often the young ones doesn’t like to hear their folks talk about it. To them, it sounds accusing or judgmental if parents like us start talking about stuff like drinking and smoking, drugs and sex and the like. Let’s face it, they consider parents as villains. We did too when we were their age. That’s just the way of the world. But then we made mistakes and guess what we say to ourselves? “If only I listened to dad… Mom was right after all… They were telling the truth all along.” It’s the same for them kids.
Where does this leave us? It allows us parents to be more creative and communicative with what’s really going on. We must put our best foot forward. Let’s not trust schools and communities and counselors at the jobs were supposed to do. it may not be pleasant but it’s our responsibilities! So get our acts right to keep them on the right path. Otherwise, we lose our young ones to the future they don’t want to be in.
March 9th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
I totally agree with you, Louise. Kids nowadays see parents as someone from the other side of town. We mean well, naturally, but they don’t ever see it that way. I tried asking my teens about the recent issue of drug use in their school, and they felt like I was insinuating they’re also into it!!! Hey, I told them, I’m trying to… “You’re not, Dad! You’re generalizing things and you think we’re into it. Don’t play it cool,” My 17 year old son told me that. Yea, he did and the twins, 15 years old – boy and girl, were glaring at me as well.
What I did? I told them, “It’s not even on my mind that any of you are using drugs or drinking or having sex! Not my kids! Because you have told me your dreams and future plans like college and you, Trevor, wanted to to deepsea diving, right? Before you go to college? Like Lia wants to be a cosmetic surgeon and Lander wants to get to American Idol next year.”
The kids all looked at me strangely. It cooled them down,and somehow made them think. Then I said, “Kids… The drug problems will always be out there. I want you to be strong enough and focus on what’s the right thing – like your dreams, what you want for the future. Drugs, alcohol and all that shit takes it away. Don’t let it. And so if you feel like your closest friends are doing it and you’re getting weak and pretty swayed to do the same, I’m just a call away. Mom’s just a call away. When you feel you’re running out of reasons to say no just remember YOU HAVE A DREAM – and dad and mom’s gonna come rescuing you from that shit and place you closer to your dream.”
That conversation made us closer and the kids became more open about how they see drugs, kids using drugs, drinking and all others. And I saw as well that they have been more informed about ways to NOT get into drugs as well as know the different street drugs.
You see it’s all a matter of how we parent the kids. We must educate them and keep them on the right road. Once we give up, then they’d opt to be educated the wrong way – like trying it for themselves!
Right, Louise?!?