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Crime Stoppers
Adults and teens are abusing some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to get high. This includes painkillers, such as those drugs prescribed after surgery; depressants, such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs; and stimulants, such as those drugs prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Teens are also abusing over-the-counter drugs, such as cough and cold remedies.
Because these drugs are so readily available, people who wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs. S eventy percent of people age 12 and older who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from relatives and friends. O thers may abuse their own prescription medicine. Teens also report that these drugs are not hard to find. About 40 percent of 12th graders say that painkillers are fairly or very easy to get, and more than half say the same of stimulants. Prescription drugs provide benefits when used correctly under the care of a health provider. But when abused, they can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs. T hink about this, a single large dose of prescription or over-the-counter painkillers or depressants can cause breathing difficulty that can lead to death. Stimulant abuse can lead to hostility or paranoia, or the potential for heart system failure or fatal seizures. Even in small doses, depressants and painkillers have subtle effects on motor skills, judgment, and ability to learn, which can increase the risk of injury. T he abuse of over-the-counter cough and cold remedies can cause blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coma, and even death. What are the brand names of some of these drugs? • Painkillers: Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet • Depressants: Klonopin, Nembutal, Soma, Valium, Xanax • Stimulants: Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Ritalin • OTCs: Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold, Robitussin, Vicks Formula 44 • Cough Relief, and others Think about your home. What prescription and over-the-counter drugs do you have? Where are they kept? Would you know if some were missing? The good news is that you can take steps immediately to limit access to these drugs and help keep your teen and friends drug-free: 1. Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access. 2. Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider's advice and dosages. 3. Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines. 4. Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash. 5. Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well. All information included in this article came directly from the Office of National Drug Control Policy website.
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