Teenage Non-Medical Prescription Drugs

Introduction

This paper will discuss the ensuing difficulties regarding teenage non-medical prescription drug use and the possible alternatives to reduce abuse in the youth population.

Discussion

There is an imperative need for parents to understand the physical and emotional problems their teens may be facing and get them the help they need to adequately and appropriately address the varying issues. Furthermore, most adults think of teen drug use as an outward expression of adolescent rebellion; a means to party and experiment. Moreover, parents are not aware that prescription drugs have become the latest and greatest way to do just that. “Many people ages 11 to 18 routinely take pills such as Vicodin, Percocet, Xanax, Klonopin, Adderal,

Drug use impacts perception, a skill adolescent brains are actively trying to cultivate, and can fracture developing neural pathways. Additionally, as our brains are becoming hardwired during adolescence, the pathways being reinforced are the ones that stick. If those pathways include addiction, the impact may lead to life-long challenges. As the epidemic of teen non-medical prescription use and abuse increases, we as a nation need to consider solutions that will insure that our children have a future, redoubling our efforts to modernize strategies that will confront the public health problems we are facing pertaining to our youth. Specific strategies that address the facets of teen life such as peer pressure, decision making, and academic progress, how they spend their free time and choosing friends. “With an approach that involves standardized assessments, early intervention, and promotes teamwork between parents, physicians and educators” Arria, Amelia M. (pp. 43). The rate of prescription drug abuse among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past decade. Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused illicit drug among adolescents, surpassed only by marijuana. Monitoring the future means that we intentionally generate accurate data that will direct our efforts in designing

(2016). Annual Editions: Drugs, Society, and Behavior, 11th Ed: McGraw-Hill Publications.

Unit 1, Article 1.5: Lauby, George; Wheelock, Kamie. (2009). “Tackling Top Teen Problem-Prescription Drugs” (pp. 31-34).

Unit 2, Article 2.1: Arria, Amelia M. (2011). “Prescription Drug Diversion” (pp. 42-44).

Unit 3, Article 3.4: Johnston, Lloyd D. (2012) “Monitoring the Future” (pp. 88-107).

Trends in Adolescent Prescription Drug Abuse

• Nearly one in five teens report abusing prescription drugs to get high (Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 2006).

• One third of all new abusers of prescription drugs in 2006 were 12 to 17 years old (SAMHSA, 2008).

• More than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs in 2006. Among 12 and 13 year olds, prescription drugs are their drug of choice (SAMHSA, 2008)

• Twelfth graders have recently had the highest rates of prescription drug abuse. (Johnston et al, 2008)

• Pain relievers, like Vicodin and Oxycontin, are the prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens (SAMHSA, 2008). Nearly half of teens who have abused prescription painkillers also report the use of two or more other drugs, most commonly alcohol and marijuana (Office of National Drug Control Policy,