Setting a Good Example
It is not uncommon for parents to have occasionally shared their prescription medication with their teenagers, such as a painkiller for a headache, a
sports-related injury, etc. Despite the good intentions, this practice can be risky for teens. By sharing prescription drugs with their teenagers,
parents may send the message that there's nothing wrong with taking another person's drugs.
Parental disapproval is a powerful way to keep teens away from drugs, so make sure that your words — and your actions — communicate to teens that it's
not safe to take someone else's prescription medication.
Here are other ways to set a good example in your own approach to prescription drugs:1
- If you or your family members are taking prescription medication, discuss the instructions regarding prescribed doses, the time between doses,
and the need to stay away from alcohol and certain other medications or foods when taking a prescription.
- As with street drugs, express clear disapproval of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse to ensure your teen knows exactly where
you stand.
- Check prescription and OTC labels about what not to do—for example, driving or using machinery when taking prescription drugs—and enforce these
safeguards with family members taking the medication.
- Be careful not to make exceptions to these rules when you are stressed out, uncomfortable, or in a hurry. Consistency is important to send a
clear message.
- Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription and OTC abuse, and regularly reinforce this message and the rules that you've set for
your family.
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