The use of prescription and OTC drug abuse by teens is rising at an alarming rate. In fact, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug with the exception of marijuana! Prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12-13yr. olds mainly because they are so readily available.
Your very own medicine cabinet has replaced the seedy, creepy guy lurking on the street corner! That innocuous bottle of nail polish remover you left on your night table could be doubling as a cheap high for your child.
Here are some of the alarming numbers out there, and the truth is, they’re probably higher: Seventy, yes 70% of children who have tried prescription or OTC drugs say they got them from a friend or relative, 10% have gotten them in that manner without anyone’s knowledge. More disturbing, is that 13 is the MEAN age of the first, non-prescribed use of sedatives and/or stimulants. Further, 60% of teens 12-17yrs. old, who have abused prescription painkillers, first tried them before the age of 15. Three out of five teens say prescription painkillers are easy to get from their parent’s medicine cabinets and among 12th graders, the abuse of OxyContin increased 30% between 2002 and 2007.
The surprises don’t stop there; computer screen cleaner, cooking spray and glue are being inhaled. Children with ADHD are sharing or selling their Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta to their friends’ right in the hallways of the schools.
The MOST disturbing fact we’ve come across is that there are actual websites that inform our teens which prescription and OTC drugs to take to get high as well as in what dosages!! There are 100’s of sites promoting pharmacies that will sell these drugs without a prescription or any verification of age!
There are signs to look for and preventive measures you can take. Any marked changes in personality, mood swings, or unusual clumsiness can be signs your child is in danger. Secretiveness, withdrawal from friends or family, or trouble in school. Take immediate action if you begin noticing chemical odors on clothing, slurring of speech or seeming disorientation. Keep track of your dosages; discard all expired or unneeded prescriptions by wrapping them up in other trash, or emptying them in something undesirable like kitty litter or coffee grounds.
There is a fine line between respecting your teen’s privacy and protecting them. If you have any suspicions, one way to get some answers before confronting your child, is to purchase a small, inexpensive video recording device; like a nanny cam or spy camera. These little devices are wireless and small; some are even disguised as key chain remotes similar to your car alarm. Frank Natale, of Littlebrothercam.com has seen a dramatic increase in the purchases of one of their more popular models which retails for a mere $49.95. Many of those sales have been from concerned parents wanting to have evidence before confronting their teens thus giving them either peace of mind, or the stimulus for much needed action. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to safe guard our children, the threats are everywhere and now it seems, even in our own homes. But one thing has not changed; a diligent, alert and caring parent is the one safeguard EVERY child needs and deserves.
