“Every day in the U.S., 2,500 youth (ages 12 to 17) abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time” (drug-free world, 2015).
According to a 2007 report performed by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, a lack of parental involvement has been demonstrated to cause a negative impact on teens and increase their odds of prescription drug abuse; and of those teens that abuse prescription medications, over half are likely to expand into alcohol abuse and experimentation with illegal substances like marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy and cocaine than teens who do not abuse prescription drugs (CASA, 2008)
Prescription medications are prescribed by physicians to treat or relieve painful symptoms and are intended
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Many of today’s youth see other young people in movies and tv shows taking their parent’s or friend’s prescriptions to feel high or euphoric, but aren’t aware of their risks (Elliott, & others, 2008).
Why do teens take prescription drugs?
Your teens might take prescription drugs to alleviate societal pressures to fit in, escape problems of stress and anxiety, rebel against authority, or simply to experiment because drugs have mind and mood¬ altering properties, believing the harm couldn’t outweigh the possible benefits, nevertheless these so called ''wonder drugs" on the market aren’t the answer, though many eventually become the problem (Wilson, & others, 1999).
Factual education of prescription drug abuse must be presented to them in a way that offers them an understanding of the health risks.
MAKE SURE YOUR TEEN GETs THE
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Alternative names: Roxy, OxyContin, and Captain Cody.
Short-term effects: disorientation, muddied or cloudy thinking, drowsiness, and possible frightening hallucinations.
Long-term effects: harshness of voice, decreased testosterone levels, infertility and physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms as a result of long-term continued abuse.
• Stimulants: are often prescribed for people with ADD to increase a person’s energy levels, attention span, as well as alertness, and may be prescribed to elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.
Alternative names: Uppers, Hearts, and R-ball.
Short-term effects: temporary increased levels of stamina that quickly leading to exhaustion, malaise, and depression.
Long-term effects: may cause feelings of paranoia, restlessness and can lead to addiction.
• Antidepressants: are psychiatric prescription medications prescribed to elevate feeling of depression.
Alternative names: Xan-bars, Xanies, and Handle bars.
Short-term effects: feelings of agitation, insomnia, or suicidal thoughts.
Long-term effects: may cause cognitive decline, impaired gastrointestinal functioning, and difficulty