SENIOR ALERT
WATCH YOUR MEDICINE CABINETS
When you first mention drug abuse among teens most people probably think of marijuana, cocaine or other illegal street drugs. What you may not know is that the preference among teens is changing to illegally obtained prescription drugs, especially the pain relievers hydrocodone and oxycodone. Often addicted teens are buying or stealing prescription drugs from friends and relatives, so much so that today, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug except marijuana. Nationally, it's estimated that, every day, 2,500 adolescents turn to the abuse of prescription pain medication for the first time.
Teens turn to prescription drugs because the perceive it's safer than street drugs and it is typically an easy and inexpensive way to get high. the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs say they get them for free, usually from friends and relatives, often without their knowledge. How does this happen? They're taking them from the medicine cabinet right at home or the bathroom shelves at a grandparents' home.
We see this trend right here in Northeast Wisconsin. In fact, more than half of the adolescents enrolled in a treatment program at our center in Green Bay abuse prescription drugs. All adults, particularly parents and grandparents, should be aware of the dangers posed by prescription and over-the-counter medications.
What can be done to help put an end to this trend and to protect the teens in our lives?
* Safeguard all medications at home. Take note of how many pills are in
bottle or pill packet, and keep track of refills. This goes for everyone's
medication in the household. If you find you have to refill medication more often than expected, there could be a real problem. Also, make sure
all cabinets or drawers where prescription drugs are stored are locked at
all times.
* Properly dispose of old or unused medicines. Unused prescription drugs should NEVER be flushed down the toilet or drain because the chemicals can pollute the water supply. Instead, dilute medications in water and mix them with kitty litter or coffee grounds and then throw
away. Also, watch for community collection programs of safe prescription drop boxes for secure disposal of unused medications.
One local collection site includes the Brown County Sheriff's Department
at 125 S. Adams Street in Green Bay.
* Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well.
Be sure your friends and relatives know about the risks and encourage them to check their own medicine cabinets.
Everyone should understand that prescription medicines are powerful drugs that, when abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs.
