subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published August 06, 2008 06:04 pm - Many teens and their peers have been taking drugs such as Ritalin since grade school and have never known a world where magazine ads pushing anti-depressants and commercials selling painkillers weren’t commonplace.

Mat Anderson: Prescription drugs can be problem for teens



Americans live in a heavily medicated culture. Whatever problem we have, there is a pill for it.

While this may be a recent development in American society, it is a world in which today’s teens have grown. Many teens and their peers have been taking drugs such as Ritalin since grade school and have never known a world where magazine ads pushing anti-depressants and commercials selling painkillers weren’t commonplace.

It’s not surprising then that recent research shows that as teen use of illicit drugs like marijuana, cocaine and speed have decreased; prescription drug abuse has continued to rise. A study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that 1 in 5 teens have abused prescription pain medication, stimulants, and tranquilizers.

One reason for this is that young people have easy access to prescription drugs. Many teens have been prescribed drugs to treat depression, ADD, pain from sports injuries, or sleep disorders and they share their pills with other teens.

Teens also find medications prescribed to family members within their own homes and can purchase medications online. A study by Columbia University found that 85 percent of online pharmacy Web sites do not require a prescription and there are no safeguards in place to regulate the age of someone ordering drugs online.

This surprisingly easy access to medicine also contributes to the way teens view prescription drug abuse. Since prescriptions are legal, available and are used by everyone from small children to the elderly, young people improperly view this type of escape as safer, less addictive, and more acceptable than using street drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine.

However, not all teens who abuse prescription drugs do it to get high.

Many teens take medications such as Ritalin and Adderall to allow them to concentrate more and study harder. Other teens take pills such as Xanax to treat anxiety problems and depression. To them, these are legitimate medications that are regulated by the FDA and are prescribed to millions of people, so they must be safe.

What many teens don’t realize is that prescription drugs are only safe when taken under medical supervision by the person to which they have been prescribed. Taking the wrong dose or combination of medications can be lethal.

It is important that parents take necessary measures to protect and educate teens regarding prescription drug abuse. Here are some tips from The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign:

• Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access. Take note of how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet, and keep track of refills. If your teen has been prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication, and monitor dosages and refills.

• Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider’s advice and dosages.

• Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines. If you misuse your prescription drugs, such as share them with your kids, or abuse them, your teen will take notice.

• Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well. Make sure your friends and relatives, especially grandparents, know about the risks, too, and encourage them to regularly monitor their own medicine cabinets.

• Talk to your teen about the dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These are powerful drugs that, when abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs. Tell your teen the risks far outweigh any “benefits.”



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

We Blog!
We Pod Cast!

We Twitter!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!

TV LIsitngs



Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE

LOCAL DRILLING COMPANY
needs a rock driller. Must have experience in hydraulics. Company vehicle provided. (417)662-7267...>MORE

TRUCK MECHANIC

needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools
...>MORE

TEAMS NEEDED

SIGN-ON BONUS $3000
Benefits and West Coast
$$ Scheduled Raises $$
HIGH MILES WEEKLY
72hrs
...>MORE

PCA 'S AND CNA'S
PCAs and CNAs In Joplin and surrounding areas. Call 417-206-7878....>MORE

DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE

LIFEGUARDS

all shifts available, Apply in person
at either Joplin Family Y location.
www.joplinfamilyy.org.
...>MORE

REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE

OLIVE GARDEN

Now accepting applications Line Cooks, Dishwashers, and Lunch Servers
Interviewing 2-4 p.m. Monday through Fr
...>MORE

LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location.
www.joplinfamilyy.org.
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE

1932 FORD
5 window, coupe, glass body rolling chassis, torch thrust, 2 wheels, etc, $18,000. (417)781-1932, or 417-437-9942...>MORE

MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE

FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE

2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE

1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500.
Bob 417-781-1932
...>MORE

1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE

2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE

LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE

OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE

2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE

LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE

INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES
6 weeks old, $100. (417)781-4099....>MORE

ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE

2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE

AMPLIFIER
1953 Gibson BHR, $250. (417)437-9942....>MORE

WANTED; 2006 OR NEWER BUMPER TRAILER
WANTED: 2006 or newer 28-29’ bumper hitch travel trailer with slide, in excellent condition. (417)235-3402....>MORE

MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE

YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE

MALTIES PUPS
$150-$300; Yorkies, $300; Morkies-$200. 592-7827, leave message....>MORE

24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE

NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09,
2 at $90. 417-483-1460.
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition