Use Prescription Drugs Safely

1. Always follow medication directions carefully.
2. Don't increase or decrease doses without talking with your doctor.
3. Don't stop taking medication on your own.
4. Don't crush or break pills.
5. Be clear about the drug's effects on driving and other daily tasks.
6. Learn about the drug's potential interactions with alcohol, other prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines.
7. Inform your doctor about your past history of substance abuse.
8. Don't use other people's prescription medications and don't share yours.

Q: What age are teens abusing prescription medications?

A: Kids as young as 12 are trying or using prescription medications non-medically -- to get high or for "self-medicating." Pharmaceuticals are often more available to 12 year olds than illicit drugs because they can be taken from the medicine cabinet at home, rather than marijuana which necessitates knowing someone who uses or sells the drug. Also, pills may have a perception of safety because they are easier to take than smoking pot or drinking alcohol and are professionally manufactured in a lab.

Q: What types of prescription medications are teens abusing?

A: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health identifies 4 types of prescription medications that are commonly abused  —  pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers. Eleven percent of teens (aged 12-17) reported lifetime non-medical use of pain relievers and four percent reported lifetime non-medical use of stimulants.

Q: Do different groups abuse different types of medications?

A: Yes. Painkillers are the most common pharmaceutical abused by teens, especially by younger teens. Stimulant abuse is more common among older teens and college students than younger teens. Girls are more likely to be current (past month) abusers of prescription medications than boys (4.3 vs. 3.6 percent). [Source: 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. ]

Q: What can I do to help to prevent my child from misusing prescription medications?

A: One easy way to prevent is to keep all prescription medication hidden: Parents and family members whose homes teens visit should keep prescription medications out of teens reach, rather than in the medicine cabinet. You should also talk to your teen and warn them that taking prescription medications without a doctor’s supervision can be just as dangerous and as potentially lethal as taking illicit drugs. For example, pain killers are made from opioids, the same substance as in heroin.

Q: How can I talk to my kids about pharmaceutical medication abuse?

A: Starting a conversation about drugs with your kids is never easy — but it's also not as difficult as you may think. Take advantage of everyday "teachable moments" and, in no time at all, you'll have developed an ongoing dialogue with your child. Teachable moments refer to using every day events in your life to point out things you'd like your child you'd like to know about.  When you talk to your kids about drugs make a special point to tell kids how dangerous prescription medication abuse is.