PRODUCTS • LLC
701-572-7659
Williston Garden
701-774-1066
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
LEONARDITE
PRODUCTS • LLC
13375 Hwy 1804 • Williston , ND
701-572-7659
Kids , Strive for a BRIGHTER future ! STAY DRUG FREE !
Preventing Prescription Drugs Among Teens
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 .
Photo Source : www . prescriptiondrugabusehelp . com
Williston Garden
10 42nd Street East • Williston , ND
701-774-1066
Proudly supporting our future leaders in their efforts to remain ABUSE FREE !
1542 16th Street West
701-609-5272
We are 100 % committed to the fight against underage drinking !
APARTMENTS
www . brutgerequities . com
701-774-2080
“ Kids , keep on drilling towards an ABUSE FREE future !”
5028 Bennett Industrial Drive Williston , ND
HOW MANY TEENS ARE DOING THIS ?
According to research conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree . org ( as well as other reputable national studies ) 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 longer 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 . In the longer term , prescription opioids ( pain relievers ) and other prescription medicines are potentially addictive .
Coming to rely at a young age on prescription medicine ( or any drug ) to “ manage ” your life risks establishing a learned , lifelong pattern of dependency and limitation and prevents learning coping skills .
WHERE ARE TEENS GETTING THESE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ?
The vast majority of teens abusing prescription drugs are getting them from the medicine cabinets of friends , family and acquaintances . Some teens traffic among themselves – handing out or selling “ extra ” pills of their own , or pills they ’ ve acquired or stolen from classmates . A very small minority of teens say they get their prescription drugs illicitly from doctors , pharmacists or over the internet .
ARE PARENTS EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT THE RISKS OF THIS BEHAVIOR ?
Research conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree . org shows that parents are not communicating the risks of prescription drug abuse to their children as often as they talk about illegal drugs . This is partly because some parents are unaware of the behavior ( it wasn ’ t as prevalent when they were teenagers ), and partly because those who are aware of teen abuse of medicine tend to underestimate the risks just as teens do . Finally , a recent study by The Partnership at Drugfree . org showed that 28 % of parents have themselves taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves . This is not necessarily abuse , but it sets a dangerous example for kids – that the recommended dosage of prescriptions need not be strictly followed .
8 | North Dakota Spring / Summer 2014 | abusemagazine . org Source : www . drugfree . org