Over The Counter Drug Abuse

Unfortunately in today's world, teen over-the-counter drug abuse, often referred to as "pill popping", is becoming more and more of a problem. A popular pastime at parties, teens bring a variety of their parents and other family members' prescription medications to be enjoyed by the group. These parties are commonly called "Pharm Parties" because they are centered on popular pharmaceuticals, such as Vicodin and OxyContin. It's a teen culture with its own lingo that parents need to be aware of. Bowls and baggies of random pills are often called a "trail mix", and on Internet chat sites, collecting pills from the family medicine cabinet is called "pharming".

Teens can often share recipes for getting high with prescription drugs over the internet as well. Some websites are simplistic and only refer to the pills colors, rather than their brand names, content, or potency. Emergency rooms are reporting more and more cases of teens overdosing on prescription meds.

In a survey taken in 2005 by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 19% of U.S. teenagers roughly 4.5 million teens reported taking prescription drugs such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall to get high.

Some teens become addicted to painkillers that are not stolen from other family members. Many teens that have pain killers legally prescribed to them because of an injury or surgery then become addicted to them and continually take them long after the injury heals. One of the reasons why prescription meds are becoming such a big problem is their easy access. Many teens that are scared away from street drugs think that prescription drugs are harmless because they are given to people by doctors. However, when the pills are not prescribed to you or you take them longer than the recommended time period, you are putting yourself in danger.

Another factor contributing to the increased problem of pill popping is the addictive nature of prescription painkillers. Many painkillers are very chemically similar to heroin. However, teens do not think taking painkillers is such a big deal. Just like "street drugs", once teens become addicted to them they need more and more amounts of the drug to produce the same high feeling.

Prescription drug abuse help

Below are some things that parents can do to help ensure that their teens do not become involved in taking prescription drugs:

• Talk to your teen, tell them you are aware of the problem. Warn them about the seriousness and dangers of taking prescription medications. Explain how pain killers have some of the same chemicals in them as heroin
• Monitor computers, keep all computers and laptops out in open areas. Monitor teen's use of the computer and who/what they are chatting about
• Visit The Partnership For A Drug Free America's website. There parents can learn how to help their teen if they are taking pills, and what to look for as warning signs
• Keep all drugs out of reach, throw away all old drugs and buy a medicine cabinet with a lock and key.