You Can Prevent & Protect
Even though they’re fairly easy to come by, there are several things
you can do to help keep your teens from taking un-needed prescription drugs:
Talk to them openly about the dangers of prescription drugs,
noting that they’re every bit as harmful and illegal as other
drugs.
Encourage them to get and stay involved
in clubs and sports. Research shows that teens
involved in activities they enjoy are less likely to
abuse drugs or alcohol.
Set a proper example for your teens by limiting
your own prescription drug use as much as possible. If
you are taking medication, make sure to explain to your
kids that you follow strict guidelines and only take what your
doctor prescribed.
Studies show that teens whose parents teach them the dangers
of prescription drugs are up to 50 percent less likely to abuse them.
Chances are, your teen listens and follows your example a lot more
than you think, even if they’d never admit it.
EVERY DAY
2,500 kids ages 12 to 17
ABUSE painkiller
a prescription
for the first time.
“The majority of drug abuse starts at home with
drugs that come from the medicine cabinet.” Hyatt
recommends participating in pharmacy drug
take-back days to discard unneeded medications.
–Craig Hyatt, pharmacist and father of four teens
The Very Real Risks
Typically, painkillers are prescribed for parents following surgeries or injuries, but anti-depressants and stimulants are sometimes prescribed to
teens themselves. While the teens may actually need the drugs, many are willing to give or sell extra pills to friends. Taking these drugs unnecessarily can cause harsh side effects, including seizures, kidney damage or failure, brain damage, heart palpitations and in severe cases, cardiac
arrest and even death. And some teens go way past abusing prescription drugs; many become addicted. According to a recent report on “Today,”
prescription drug addiction is claiming the lives of almost 15,000 people a year.
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