According to Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, one in five teens has admitted to illicitly using drugs, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription pain medications, the most commonly abused drugs. Among 12- to 13-year-olds, the misuse of opioids is a growing epidemic and, if not addressed, can develop into an addiction. Here are four steps that can be taken to help prevent this abuse.

1. Safeguard your home. Count it! Lock it! Drop it!
   • Monitor the medicine in your home. Are you aware of the number of pills present? Count your pills.
   • Secure the medicine in a place that your teen cannot access.
   • Dispose of expired or unused prescriptions in a drop box. Find your local drop box here.
2. Know the signs and symptoms.
   • Recognize the signs of substance abuse:
     • Bloodshot eyes, enlarged or shrunken pupils
     • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
     • Sudden weight loss or weight gain
     • Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
     • Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
     • Tremors, slurred speech or impaired coordination
     • Loss of interest in sports, school, friends

3. • Talk to your family, friends and other parents about prescription drug abuse.
   • Children who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not get this information.
4. • Share the information you’ve attained through social media, text and email.

If you suspect your teen is using opioids, feel free to call the national Partnership for Drug-Free Kids helpline at 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373), or the local Tennessee TAADAS helpline at 615-780-5901.

(All facts and tips drawn from Partnership for Drug-Free Kids at www.drugfree.org.)