Parent Column
By Alison Birnbaum
Are we supplying our children with their next high?
Several national studies have just released statistics revealing that more teens abuse prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs than any other illicit drug, except marijuana. The news is staggering: 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs in 20061; 3.1 million people ages 12 to 25 have used cough medicine to get high.2
This means that millions of us parents have been caught off-guard while a new wave of drug abuse has been occurring right in our own homes. The good news is that we have the power to prevent our children's access to medicines abused as drugs!
What can we do? There are three really easy ways to begin:
1. Safeguard all drugs at home and ask friends and family to do the same.
I knew a young woman who was taking her father's OxyContin from his bathroom cabinet. Though the family was aware of her drug abuse history, they were totally unaware of the disappearance of the father's pills. Review all medications – including prescription medications and (OTC) medications – that you are storing: Choose either to toss the meds out, or find a place to lock them so that only adults have access.
2. Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash -- and control the distribution of every prescription written for our family members.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) medications such as Adderall and Ritalin are being shared among teens for studying and weight loss. Prescription painkillers are widely abused, and even antidepressants are being shared amongst teens who don't have a prescription for them. Make sure that your child is not selling, sharing, or increasing his or her own dosage. Ask your prescribing doctor to review the proper use and dosage of each medication. Monitor dosage and use. Is your child using the meds for focusing on schoolwork as prescribed? Or has the use spread to a more general enabling of performance? I knew a teenage boy who was misusing his Ritalin to stay up all night and still be able to function the next day. He burned through his prescription, which finally signaled to his parents that he needed help.
3. Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine.
Define prescription and OTC drug abuse and clarify why it is so important to not share medicine and to always follow the medical provider's advice and dosages. Read up (this Web site is a gold mine!). And be prepared to discuss the dangers of abuse.
Remember that one of your most powerful tools in preventing drug abuse is expressing your disappointment in your child's behavior. Most teens say that losing their parents' approval is their number one reason to not use drugs.
As always, it is moving and enlightening to read your reactions and advice for one another. I look forward to following your responses in our parent forum.
Alison Birnbaum, LCSW, has practiced psychotherapy in New York City and Connecticut for 25 years. In her clinical work, she helps adults, adolescents, children, and their families with issues ranging from mental illness and substance abuse to divorce and emotional intelligence. Alison also works as a consultant to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, offering expert advice on various media initiatives and contributing guest columns to TheAntiDrug.com. She was previously a member of the Media Campaign’s Behavior Change Expert Panel (BCEP).
