Where are teens getting prescription drugs? The search starts at home.
Teens say prescription drugs not prescribed to them 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 their own home first if they are 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.
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 (Safe Medicine Disposal for ME) 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.
Parents' Bedroom
- Bedside table
Remember that you are your teens 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.
- 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 one in four 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.
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.
Kitchen
- Kitchen counter
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).
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 nail polish remover
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 teen 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy