PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

By Douglas Haddad, Ph.D.

Summer 2008

Non-medical use and abuse of prescription drugs has become one of the fastest growing addictions among today’s youth. Hospitals are receiving more cases in the emergency room of young people overdosing on combinations of prescription medicines.  The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) has coined the term describing this generation of substance abuse among teens and young adults as “Generation Rx”.   An estimated one in every five teenagers in the United States has abused legal painkillers.  Prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, and Codeine have become popular prescription drugs of choice providing a numb, euphoric effect. 

A reported one in five teens abuse prescription stimulants and tranquilizers.  Stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine are being used more frequently to increase energy levels and achieve a euphoric state (especially by older teens and college students).  A reported one in ten teens/young adults has abused cough medicine to achieve a hallucinogenic effect.  In addition, household cleaners such as glue, paint thinner, nail polish remover and other solvents are being abused for their intoxicating effects.

How do kids know what to do with prescription drugs to get high?  Teens have admitted that they get ideas from the Internet, sharing their experiences with other peers and simply experimenting and seeing what happens.  Kids feel invincible and don’t often think about the consequences that could happen.  Adolescents are having what has been termed “Pharm” parties. They have become a popular means where kids bring all of their prescription drugs that they have and experiment with different types.  This type of abuse often times goes unnoticed among parents and schools. 

The abuse of legally prescribed drugs by today’s youth is seen as a way to get around the restrictions and laws.  The availability and access to get these products are much easier considering that many families have left over pills in their medicine cabinet from a surgery or illness.  The casual theft from home and transactions on and off school property make it very easy for these drugs to get around.  Many Internet pharmacies are distributing these drugs without much of a medical consultation.  Some kids go as far as faking to be sick in order to acquire some medication.

How do kids use these drugs?

·        Swallow the pills.

·        Crush the pills and snort them.

·        Crush the pills and take with a drink.

·        Smoke the powder.

What are the potential results from sustained periods of abuse?

Ø      respiratory failure,

Ø      permanent brain damage,

Ø      depression,

Ø      heart attacks,

Ø      seizures,

Ø      frequent mood shifts,

Ø      hostility,

Ø      paranoia,

Ø      anxiety,

Ø      nausea,

Ø      diarrhea,

Ø      muscle and bone pain,

Ø      restlessness,

Ø      liver damage,

Ø      kidney damage,

Ø       other organ injuries.

                  Tips for adults to help prevent and protect against this problem

• Discuss the use for prescription medicine and educate a child on the dangers that these can have if taken without reason.  Prescription medicine is powerful and can benefit a sick person, but it can have a drastically negative effect on a healthy person.  Emphasize that prescription drug abuse can be just as addictive and lethal as illicit drug abuse.  For example, painkillers are made from opioids, the same substance found in heroin.

• Be active in a child’s life and monitor the group of friends that she/he is hanging out with.  Rid of leftover medications and urge the friend’s parents to rid of them also.

• Keep all prescription medicine hidden.  Rather than keeping it in a typical medicine cabinet, put it in a less conspicuous area.  If you suspect that a child has taken some, take an inventory count and monitor pill quantities and medicine levels.

• Educate children on the misconception that prescription medicine use is safer than illegal street drugs because it is approved by doctors.  A school resource officer can speak to individuals, groups of kids, classrooms and/or the entire school about making good choices and addressing the dangers and consequences involved in this type of drug use.

• Government programs should be instituted across the nation educating parents, schools and law enforcement about speaking to youth about the dangers of drug abuse including prescription drugs.

• Monitor a child’s activities on the computer and limit the places available to surf and the time on the computer.

• Schools should all have inclusive classes that focus on life skills, social skills and good decision-making.

• Monitor a child’s behaviors.  Look for some observable warning signs of abuse.  Signs include:

Ø     Absent from school,

Ø A drop in grades.

Ø     Frequently sick,

Ø     Change in group of friends,

Ø     Change in mood, eating patterns, overall attitude,           

Ø     Failure to cooperate and frequently breaking rules set forth.

Ø     Disappearance of medication, money, credit cards.

Ø Appearance of strange   paraphernalia:  pipes, rolling papers, small medicine droppers, eye drops, bongs, butane lighters.