Are you your child’s drug dealer? Your grandchild’s? Your niece or nephew’s?
Prescription drug abuse is an issue that affects thousands of families, and such substances are often all too readily available for curious children or teenagers. About 20% of high-schoolers have admitted to abusing prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Center for Disease Control. Some children see taking the drugs as acceptable – they think that since a doctor prescribed them to a family member it is okay for them to partake themselves. Popular songs describe “sippin’ on Sizzurp” – codeine cough suppressant mixed with a drink – as a fun experience. “Pharm Parties” have also become a trend among teens –events when partygoers each bring any prescription medication and mix the pills into a large bowl for random consumption. Adding alcohol to this deadly equation increases the dangerous consequences even more.
Not only are the health consequences for taking someone else’s prescription medication extremely dire, but the “it’s no big deal” mentality of many teens on the issue is reason for concern. Abuse of prescription drugs can lead to overdose, seizures, heart attack, and/or death. The duty falls on the parents/caregivers to provide insight into the dangers of prescription drug abuse and to properly dispose of expired and unused/unneeded medications. Flushing medicines are not recommended for the vast majority of prescription drugs because of recent reports that have noted trace amounts of medicine in the water system (according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 2nd Annual National Drug Take Back Day is April 30, 2011. The Abilene Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ARCADA) and the Abilene Police Department will sponsor a drop-off site for the disposal of prescription medication from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. A positive alternative to the trashcan or toilet, please take the opportunity to properly dispose of potentially dangerous medications. Last year, the DEA reported collecting 242,000 pounds – or 121 tons – of properly disposed prescriptions drugs. For more information visit www.dea.gov or contact the Prevention Resource Center at 325-673-3503.
Help Abilene and surrounding areas combat the alarming rates of misuse with these dangerous drugs – drop off your unused prescription drugs, lock them up, count your pills, be safe and take the initiative to educate your children that taking someone else’s prescription is not only an unhealthy choice, but also an illegal choice with deadly consequences.