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.
- 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.
- 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
- Recognize the signs of substance abuse:
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- 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.
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- 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.)
