Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens
Anually, 2,500 youth age 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the first time. Teenagers believe prescription drugs
are a “safe” way to get high because they are not street drugs. Prescription drugs are easily accessible and are
often found in medicine cabinets at home or school. In 2006, 47.3% of youth abusing drugs reported they
obtained prescription drugs for free from friends. Teens use prescription drugs to help them deal with
depression, stress, anxiety, pain relief, and insomnia.
What are the dangers of prescription drugs?
 Pain relievers and depressants: breathing difficulty/impaired motor skills, judgment, and learning
ability/death
 Stimulants: heart failure/seizure/hostility/paranoia
 Cough and cold remedies: nausea/blurred vision/coma/death.
Teens reported mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. This can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Signs of prescription drug abuse include:
SYMPTOMS:
BEHAVIORS:
Constricted pupils
Personality changes
Excessive energy
Forgetfulness
Lack of interest in appearance
Slurred speech
Mood swings
Fatigue
Multiple refill requests
Unfamiliar pills
Missing pills
Poor school work
Loss of appetite
Irritability
Flushed skin
Extra cash or borrowing
Parents:
If you suspect your child is abusing prescription drugs, do not ignore this problem! Do not be afraid to talk to
your child. Let him or her know you are there to help. Be honest and let your child know the dangers of
prescription drug abuse. Set new rules, engage your child in social activities, and monitor behavior more
carefully. Ask your child questions such as “Why, Where, Who, What, and When?” If you are comfortable, ask
him or her why they are abusing drugs. This could be the first step towards a solution.
PREVENTION:
1. Safeguard medicines at home. Ask friends and family to do the same. This includes concealing
medicine and monitoring levels of pills and cough/cold medicines.
2. Set clear rules about drug use. Be a good role model. Do not share drugs with your children or use
incorrect doses of medicine.
3. Properly dispose of old medicine. Do not dump pills or other medicine down the drain as this can
pollute the water supply.
Teens And Drug Abuse: An Analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat. 17 Oct. 2009
< http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact>