This is becoming a new trend with young people. We’ve beat in the “Just Say No” message so overall drug use is down, but more kids are now seeking other ways to get high. According to ABC news the Office of National Drug Control Policy claims that each day 2,500 kids age 12-17 try prescription pain killers for the first time in hopes of getting high. Teens think it’s safer to get high off prescription drugs because they are prescribed by doctors rather than some drug dealer.

Teens can get prescription drugs several ways. They can raid the medicine cabinet at home, get them from their friends, steal them from their grandparents or even order them online without a prescription. Some teens get their fix at “pharm parties.” At these parties teens bring whatever pills they can find and drop them in a bowl which they then pass around like trail mix. In that case they don’t know what they are taking or even what medicines they are mixing together in their systems.

Another trend is abusing over-the-counter drugs like cough syrup and cold medicine. Some teens participate in “Robostripping” where they spin a bottle of Robitussin cough syrup on the end of a string to separate the drugs to the top of the bottle. This gets a kid high and hallucinating. Others are using Sudafed to make meth. In my state you are required to show ID and go in to an electronic log when you purchase OTC drugs like Sudafed, but not all states monitor these purchases.

So what can we do to prevent our kids from abusing prescription and OTC drugs? Plenty.

• Set a good example. Carefully follow instructions on your medications.
• Talk to your teens about being responsible with medicines. Tell them it’s not safe to take drugs that are not prescribed to them. The anit-drug also has some great tips for talking to your teen about drugs.
• Be mindful of your dosage. Watch for any missing pills.
• Set limits and rules about websites visited and check website histories. There are many websites that tell a kid exactly what pills to use to get high. Not to mention the websites that sell prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
• Watch to see if your kids go to the grocery store often before going out with friends.
• If you think your teens are abusing drugs, lock your drugs in a safe cabinet and hide the key.
• Check your teens room for empty medicine bottles.
• If your teen takes prescription medicine, such as Adderall for ADHD, check their dosage and make sure they aren’t out of meds before they are supposed to be.
• Be weary of empty packages in their room that may be prescription drugs sent via postal mail.

What signs should you look for to tell if your teen is high?

• constricted pupils
• mood swings
• personality changes
• clumsiness
• drowsiness
• secretiveness
• withdrawal from friends and family
• trouble in school
• anxiety
• flushed skin
• excessive energy
• lack of sleep
• irritability
• loss of appetite

Even if your teen is a good kid and you think he/she would never do drugs, you still need to keep your eyes open. Even straight ‘A’ students and athletes are using. One mom found out the hard way when her smart and athletic son, Ryan, died of a drug overdose. It’s such a tragic story. It just proves it can happen in any family.

Post from: Blisstree

Getting High on Prescription Drugs