Your Teen’s Access to Illegal Drugs a Lot Closer Than You Think

An audience of concerned residents, including parents and health professionals, attended Sen. Kemp Hannon’s seminar Sept. 19 regarding “Teens and Prescription Drugs.”

Nancy Langdon, RN, of Winthrop University Hospital, shared some startling statistics and dispelled myths regarding this rising epidemic.

Langdon advised that prescription drug use in order to “get high” ranks second, marijuana ranking number one, among teens 12 to 17 as the nation’s most prevalent illegal drug problem. 

“Many people don’t realize that using prescription drugs that are not intended for you is just as illegal as street drugs,” advised Langdon. “It’s increasingly becoming an epidemic. Every day 2,500 young people between the ages of 12-17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time.”

Closer to home, statistics have shown that two out of every five teens in Nassau and Suffolk counties have abused prescription drugs.

The rise of this abuse is no doubt a byproduct of the U.S.‘s booming prescription business where it is estimated that 4 billion prescriptions are dispensed each year. 

“The potential for abuse is lurking in every home’s medicine cabinet,” said Langdon.

Types of drugs that are commonly abused are painkillers such as OxyContin, depressants such as Xanax and stimulants such as Ritalin. Over-the-counter drugs such as cold remedies also pose a danger when used improperly.

“Abuse of these medicines can lead to addiction, seizures, breathing difficulties, effects on motor skills and heart system failures,” shared Langdon. “Yet many teens are mixing them with alcohol which can be fatal.”

The majority of teens report that it’s easier to secure medication and believe that they are safer than illegal drugs. Seventy percent of teens report they are obtaining the drugs from relatives and friends. Consequently, unintentional drug poisoning is now the second leading cause of accidental deaths in the U.S.

Medicines should be locked to prevent not only children but others who visit the home from taking them. It is recommended that medicines be disposed of during medication disposal days in communities like the Shed the Meds program.

The number one preemptive tactic that can be utilized is often overlooked - talking to your children about prescription drugs. Langdon advises to start when they are preteens and considers waiting until the age of 12 too late.

“Teens have reported that parental disapproval is a powerful influence to keep them away from drugs,” shared Langdon. “Talk to your children and be aware of any changes in behavior.”

Jackie Vita, of Sen. Hannon’s office, called this a community problem. She advised that they are supporting legislation in New York to strengthen penalties for abuse and cited an incident in Hannon’s district where a pharmacist was selling prescription drugs to children.

Parent and pharmacist Elaine Cunningham agreed, adding, “As a parent I believe we need to talk to our kids and start at a young age. We also need to elect officials who are going to enforce reform and put pressure on the prescribing habits of physicians.”