Teens and young adults are at risk for prescription drug misuse from drugs they get from their healthcare provider, as well as from their friends or family. Prescription drug misuse among teens can affect brain development, decision-making and behavior.
Consider these questions if your teenager is prescribed opioids (pain medication), stimulants (for treating ADHD) or benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications).
You may trust your children not to misuse prescription drugs in your name, but what about their friends, neighbors or anyone else who comes to visit your home?
Use a safe, lockbox or install a lock on a kitchen cabinet to store your prescription drugs safely.
If your child needs to take prescription drugs while at school, deliver the medications directly to the school nurse for secure storage and monitored dosing. Unless special circumstances exist, don't allow your child to carry the medications during school hours.
Of Kansas teens who misuse prescription drugs, 15% steal from family and friends. If your drugs are accessible, you could be enabling your child to misuse drugs.
If you have leftovers from a previous prescription, find a medication collection and disposal site near you to get rid of them before someone else finds them and uses them.
Top 5 Substances Teens Report Using
Alcohol (15.85%)
Vaping (9.77%)
Binge drinking (8.04%)
Marijuana (6.75%)
Prescription drug misuse (3.70%)
Of teens reporting prescription drug misuse, 74% report getting access to those drugs from friends and family (through sharing, buying or stealing).
Source: NIDA for Teens