There is good news...and bad news. First, the good news is that use of illicit drugs has gone down amongst teens ages 12 to 
17. Now the bad news: the abuse of prescriptions drugs has gone up among teens.
Prescription drugs are all too easy for Oregon youth to get their hands on, so it is no surprise that over 3-million teens have reported they have abused prescription drugs. Youth do not have to seek a dealer to give them prescription drugs; nor do they have to be out on the streets to seek them. It is as easy as opening a small mirrored door to obtain these drugs. The Oregon Partnership has reported that it is easier for teens to get their hands on prescription drugs than a beer.
Prescription drugs are just as dangerous as illegal, street drugs, but one may not realize that since they are readily available in the home. Teens may also mix medications that are not supposed to be taken at the same time or within several hours of each other, and this mix can be deadly. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids (pain killers), CNS depressants (meds for anxiety or sleep problems), and stimulants (ADHD meds or meds for sleeping disorders like narcolepsy). The scary fact is that those who abuse meds as a teen are at a higher risk for becoming dependent on drugs later on in life. This situation got a lot of attention when actor, Heath Ledger, died of this very thing.
The National Family Partnership offers these tips about how Portland parents and gardians can help prevent prescription drug about in their homes:
Review the following guidelines for prescription drug abuse prevention and discuss them with family & friends.
LOCK YOUR MEDS
Prevent your children from abusing your own medication by securing your meds in places your child cannot access.TAKE INVENTORY
Download your Home Medicine Inventory Card, write down the name and amount of medications you currently have and regularly check to see that nothing is missing.EDUCATE YOURSELF & YOUR CHILD
Learn about the most commonly abused types of prescription medications (pain relievers, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers). Then, communicate the dangers to your child regularly; once is not enough.SET CLEAR RULES & MONITOR BEHAVIOR
Express your disapproval of using prescription drugs without a prescription. Monitor your child's behavior to ensure that the rules are being followed.PASS IT ON
Share your knowledge, experience and support with the parents of your child's friends. Together, you can create a tipping point for change and raise safe, healthy and drug-free children.PROPERLY DISPOSE OF OLD AND UNUSED MEDICATIONS
For the latest guidelines on safe and proper disposal of medications, click here.WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD ALREADY HAS A PROBLEM
If you suspect your teen is using drugs, do not wait to do something about it. Visit the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov for a listing of treatment centers in your area, or call (800) 662 - HELP (4357).
Prescription drug abuse has nasty side affects: explosive diarrhea (no joke), uncontrollable vomiting, hives, upset stomach, difficulty breathing, extreme nervouseness, and more. Just because these types of drugs are easier to get a hold of, they are just as hard to shake in terms of addiction.
Teens: if you are feeling like life is crazy and you want an escape, talk to someone about it. Pills are not the answer.
Comments
Heath was not an addict,he was not abusing his meds.The autopsy proved this,the med examiner said that no meds were taken in excess,they were all at perscribed level,some even below that.This finding was not consistant with drug addiction.He had real health issues,he had a spinal injury,and also battled panic attacks.Chronic severe insomnia,as in no sleep for 2-3 days at a time.He got pneumonia and was given pills for the cough and cold meds for the congestion so he could continue acting.In fact he took some of those meds in the days before he died,not the night he died,they had an accumilated effect some were time release.He did not take them all at once,but rather in the same 3-4 days.He did yoga,meditation,Alexander techniques,physical therapy too,but no one mentions that!He made an easy mistake,he combined meds.That is a major issue,its so easy to do.I have meds and no one never tells me anything about them,its not on the bottle! Heath was a friend,The lies about him are so wrong.
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