The current epidemic of youth abusing prescription medications has me frightened. How about you?
As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I see first-hand how pervasive the prescription medication problem is. Following are a few of the tips I offer parents and students alike. As reported in www.theclaytimesjournal.com.
The first step is to get informed about the dangers and know how to respond. I would suggest taking an online drug class with your adolescent.
If you think there is a problem, you must intervene as soon as possible. How to intervene is the big issue. Also, in addition to the 8 hour online MIP class, use other online sources like www.RxSafetyMatters.org which provides information to parents and community groups on how to prevent prescription drug abuse.
What Can You Do?
- Recognize the signs of abuse - Warning signs include sudden mood swings, changes in social circles, secretive behavior, excessive sleeping and a loss of interest in appearance or hobbies. Symptoms often occur in clusters.
- Count your meds – This cannot be stressed enough. Monitor your medications. Keep a detailed record of which prescription drugs you have in your home and the remaining number of pills. Store your medications in a secure location. If you have medications that you no longer need or have expired, dispose of them properly.
- Educate, Educate & Educate - Talk to your relatives, neighbors and other parents in households where your children spend time. Grandparents' homes are frequently a source of pills, simply because older people take more medications. Talk to the PTA at your teen's school, and encourage others to take preventive steps to prevent prescription drug abuse.
- Communicate with your kids - Listen for clues. Make sure your children understand the dangers of misusing prescription medications -- but avoid providing information about which drugs are popular to abuse. Listen to your kids, and always ask these questions: "Who are they meeting, what will they be doing, and where will they be?"
We all have to work together to make our future successful and keeping kids away from prescription medications is a good step.