Prescription Use and Abuse Among Teenagers
2009 October 19 by: Scott
The University of Maine published some interesting facts regarding prescription use with teens in the United States. The university’s research concludes that one of the fastest growing trends involving teenagers is prescription drug use and abuse that is occuring at ”Pharm Parties.” These parties involve teenagers (and younger children) bringing bottles of prescription medications (that are often taken from the home) to a party where the medications are put into a punch bowl for everybody to take and share like candy. Other names for these events are called “skittling’” and “fish bowling”.
There is no doubt that teenage use and abuse of prescription medication is on the rise. University studies also concluded:
- Nearly one in five teens report abusing prescription medications to get high.
- Teens are misusing everything from pain relievers to stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers. Many teens believe that prescription drugs are safer than alcohol or illicit
- According to results taken from the 2006 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey, an average of 12% of teenagers from grade 6 through 12 across the state reported experimenting with prescription drugs.
- Youth prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. About 1 in 5 Maine youth grades 9-12 report having used a prescription drug not prescribed to them to get high. Non-medical use of prescription drugs is the second most popular category of drug abuse after marijuana.
What can Parents Do to Reduce Prescription Abuse or Misuse?
- Do not keep medications stockpiled in your home and keep careful track of your prescriptions
- Utilize local prescription mail-back or collection programs to dispose of your unused/unwanted medications
- Talk to your children about prescription use and abuse among children. Share with your children about the dangers of using prescriptions medicines that are not prescribed to them by a medical doctor. Share with your children not to ever use or take a prescription medication that you, the parent, are not aware of or told them to take.
- Use common sense parenting:
- know where your children are…
- know who your children are with…
- know the parents of your child’s friends…
- know that your children can and will make mistakes and/or poor decisions.
