Page 24 | ABUSE Magazine
Source: www.drugfree.org
abusemagazine.org
Teen drug abuse is becoming an
epidemic, that must be addressed!
WHAT IS PRESCRIPTION
DRUG ABUSE?
The use of prescription medication to
create an altered state, to get high,
or for reasons or by people other than
those intended by the prescribing
doctor.
HOW MANY TEENS ARE
DOING THIS?
According to research as many as
one in five teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves.
This behavior cuts across geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic
boundaries.
WHY ARE SOME TEENS DOING THIS?
For a variety of reasons. To party
and get high, in some cases, but also
to manage or regulate their lives.
They’re abusing some stimulants
such as Ritalin and Adderall to give
them additional energy and ability to
focus when they’re studying or taking
tests. They’re abusing pain relievers
like OxyContin and tranquilizers such
as Xanax to cope with academic,
social or emotional stress. They’re
abusing prescription amphetamines
to lose weight, or prescription steroids to bulk up.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
There are both acute (immediate)
and long term risks. In the short
term, overdosing (especially on prescription pain relievers) can be fatal,
as can mixing prescription drugs with
over-the-counter medication and/or
alcohol.