The increased use of prescription drugs among adults provides considerable opportunity for misuse by teenagers and, according to one recent study, that is exactly what they are doing.
In citing a survey completed by The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the MetLife Foundation, the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland noted that about one in four U.S. high school students reported using prescription drugs without a prescription in order to get high or change their mood.
Among the reasons given for the drug use, according to CESAR, students said it was to help them relax, to help them forget their troubles, to deal with stress and pressures at school and simply "to have fun."
Parents, and even grandparents, should take care to ensure that any medications they are prescribed are not easily accessible to teenagers. More importantly, if medications are in the house, parents should take the time to explain what they are to the kids, why they are needed and any dangers that may be associated with their use or misuse.
Prescription drug abuse has been a growing problem among adults in recent years, so it is not surprising to see the problem extend to students in high schools. The growth in popularity of prescription drug abuse among teens, however, should provide incentive for parents to talk to their children about drug use and abuse, including alcohol abuse, and how making the wrong decisions today could negatively impact you for the rest of your life.
There are better ways to relax, have fun, reduce stress or forget your troubles than taking drugs. In Carroll, we have gone through different periods where alcohol, marijuana and even heroin was the drug of choice among our youngsters, and each time we have responded with educational efforts that helped reduce the problem.
Prescription drug abuse has been a growing problem in recent years among both adults and youngsters, but with a change in attitude, increased education and more open discussion, we can reverse that trend.
