Test Your Knowledge During National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month

Posted on October 25, 2011

Over-the-counter cough medicines and prescription drugs have become some of the most commonly abused drugs among teenagers. As the problem reaches crisis levels, the U.S. Senate has decided to take action in promoting awareness among parents and teens. In September 2011, it adopted a resolution designating October as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.

Teen Marijuana Use Up, Along with Ecstasy and Prescription Drugs

Posted on December 16, 2010

The debate over medical marijuana and legalized marijuana has not just stirred up controversy on the political front—it’s also made marijuana use appear less harmful to the country’s younger generation.

Rural Teens More Likely to Abuse Prescription Drugs Than Urban Teens

Posted on November 1, 2010

Teens who live in rural areas are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than their urban-dwelling peers, according to a new study that will be published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. About one in eight U.S. adolescents report abusing prescription opioids such as Valium or OxyContin, according to background information in the article. The authors write that those who start using prescription drugs earlier in life have a greater chance of developing drug dependency later in life.

Oxycodone Use Rising Among High School Students

Posted on January 19, 2010

There is a growing problem on high school campuses throughout the nation. More and more of today’s high school students are becoming addicted to the popular pain medication, OxyCodone.

Marijuana Becoming More Popular Among US Teens

Posted on December 14, 2009

A new federal survey shows that smoking marijuana is becoming even more popular among U.S. teens, and that they have cut down on smoking cigarettes, binge drinking, and using methamphetamine.

Teenagers Abusing ADHD Drugs

Posted on August 24, 2009

A new medical study found that more teenagers are abusing prescription medication used to treat ADHD. Calls to the National Poison Center related to teenage abuse of ADHD medications increased 76 percent between 1998 and 2005.

Illicit Drug Use among Teens Down; Prescription Drug Abuse Up

Posted on August 11, 2009

Although fewer 8th, 10th, and 12th graders are reporting illicit drug use, more adolescents are abusing prescription drugs.

The University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” study surveyed 48,025 students from 403 secondary schools. The researchers found that the use of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller, was slightly higher this year for all three grades. At least one in 20 high school seniors has tried the narcotic in the past year.

Dangerous Pharm Parties Gaining Popularity in Idaho

Posted on June 16, 2009

More and more adolescents are turning up in emergency rooms having overdosed on a concoction of prescription medications after attending “pharm parties,” where juveniles bring a handful of random prescriptions, mix them up in a bowl, and wash down a handful with the beverage of their choice.

How to Protect Your Teen from Prescription Drug Abuse

Posted on June 13, 2009

With prescription medication abuse on the rise among adolescents, it is extremely important to take steps to help ensure your teen won’t fall into this dangerous behavior. Even if you think this could never happen to your teen, keep in mind that 19 percent of all teens have abused prescription drugs and there’s no guarantee it won’t happen in your family. You’ll want to start with your medicine cabinet because prescription drug abuse usually begins there.

1.) Monitor Medication. Nearly two-thirds of teens who have abused prescription medication have gotten it from friends and/or relatives, usually without their knowledge. Keep track of all your prescription medications, and make sure every family member’s prescriptions are kept in the same place so you can take inventory. This way you can easily notice if pills start disappearing. It’s also a good idea to talk to your teen’s friends’ parents about monitoring their own cabinets, as it’s likely that your teen will be over at their home and have access to the medicine cabinet.

2.) Dispose of Medication. Drugs that are no longer being used by anyone in the household are an easy way for teens to get their hands on medication without being caught. Keep track of all current medications and discard any that are no longer being used or are expired. Don’t just throw away the bottle, though; place the remaining pills in an opaque container with a secure lid and mix in something undesirable like coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter. Then place the container in an opaque bag and discard.

3.) Secure Medication. As the medicine cabinet is the first place teens will look for prescription drugs, it’s a good idea to keep your medication in a less obvious, safer place. If you had a firearm in the house, you would lock that away—why not do the same with dangerous medications?

What Dangers Exist in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Posted on May 22, 2009

Prescription drugs continue to be attractive to teens as they are often more easily acquired. These drugs are being abused by teens as they often deliver the same euphoria as illegal drugs without the cost. Now, studies show that roughly one in five teens are intentionally abusing prescription drugs and about one in 10 report using cough medicine to get high.