Do you know what's in your medicine cabinet?
The abuse of prescription drugs-such as pain relievers, depressants, and stimulants-is on the rise among youth. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) or 4.7 million youth reporting trying prescription or over -the -counter (OTC) drugs for recreational use in the last year (Partnership for a Drug Free America, 2008 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study).
Adults in our community are in a unique position to impact this growing trend by reducing youth access to these substances in their home and talking to the youth in their lives about the dangers of prescription and OTC drug misuse andabuse. That is why we are asking Kalamazoo County to SECURE YOUR MEDS!
Although millions of Americans benefit from the proper use of prescription drugs, they can be dangerous when taken without medical supervision or mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Youth who abuse prescription drugs to get high can suffer immediate serious consequences including: addiction, hallucinations, strokes, seizures, comas, and even death.
Alarming Statistics:
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) urges adults to educate themselves about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and take the following concrete steps to protect the youth in our communities:
Adults in our community are in a unique position to impact this growing trend by reducing youth access to these substances in their home and talking to the youth in their lives about the dangers of prescription and OTC drug misuse andabuse. That is why we are asking Kalamazoo County to SECURE YOUR MEDS!
Although millions of Americans benefit from the proper use of prescription drugs, they can be dangerous when taken without medical supervision or mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Youth who abuse prescription drugs to get high can suffer immediate serious consequences including: addiction, hallucinations, strokes, seizures, comas, and even death.
Alarming Statistics:
- Among youth ages 12 to 17 the rate of current non-medical use of prescription pain relievers increased 17% between 2008 and 2009 (SAMHSA, 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health).
- In Kalamazoo County, during the 2011-2012 school year, more Kalamazoo County middle school students reported abusing prescription drugs than reported using alcohol or marijuana in the past 30 days (2012 Kalamazoo County MiPHY).
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) urges adults to educate themselves about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and take the following concrete steps to protect the youth in our communities:
- Keep track of quantities of and SECURE the prescription and OTC drugs in your own home, so that youth cannot access them without your permission;
- Talk to the parents and other adults in your life, and ensure they have the same policy in their homes;
- Properly discard old and unused prescriptions;
- Set and enforce clear rules about drug use, including prescription drug abuse, and establish consequences for breaking the rules;
- Tune into and learn about the online activities of the youth in your life, their use of technology, and exposure to pro-drug messages; and
- Be observant and look for indications that youth in your life may be abusing prescription or OTC drugs.
