For teens, prescription and over-the-counter medications may have appeal for a number of reasons. They are easily accessible. They are perceived as safe when compared with

One type of a prescription pain reliever.

street drugs. They are legal, doctor-prescribed and FDA-approved.

The latest annual study on teen drug use from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that an alarming number of teenagers are abusing a variety of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to get high. Millions of teens report abusing Rx painkillers, Rx stimulants and OTC cough medications to get high. Medications can be abused in a number of ways. Some teens simply swallow the pills or drink liquids; others may crush pills before snorting or smoking the powder. Still others melt or dissolve the medications and then inject them. Another popular way of abusing prescription drugs is to mix them with alcohol and street drugs into “cocktails.”

Tips for Parents: Educate, Communicate, Safeguard  

Educate Yourself:

• Educate yourself about medications that kids are abusing, and share this information with others who are in contact with your children – school administrators, coaches, counselors, etc.

Communicate With Your Kids:

• Discuss the subject with your teenagers. See what your kids know about peers using medications without doctors’ orders. Preliminary research shows teens believe experimenting with medications are safer than street drugs. Abuse of medications can be lethal.
• Set clear expectations with your teenagers, letting them know that under no circumstances should they ever take medications without your knowledge.

Safeguard Medications at Home and Other Places:

• Ask your healthcare provider if any medications prescribed for your family have a potential for abuse. 
• Take an inventory of Rx and OTC medications in your home. Pay attention to quantities.
• Keep medications out of reach – and out of easily accessible places like the medicine cabinet.
• If your child needs medications during school hours, speak with school officials about policies for distributing medications to students. If possible, personally take the medications to the school nurse. Make sure unused medications are returned to you.