Prescription drug abuse

Parents, October is Red Ribbon Month, a time to remind all of us of the effects of drug abuse and what we can do to prevent it. If you haven't already done so, lock up your medicine to prevent children's prescription drug abuse. It might not be your child who is tempted to try out one of your prescription drugs, but it could be a visiting friend or a youth intent on getting into your home and trying to find drugs.

It has been reported that more than 3.1 million teens, ages 12 to 17, say they abuse prescription drugs. One is too many. Teens and young people do not realize the seriousness of taking prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to them.

Did you know that every day 3,300 more children begin experimenting with prescription drugs! And seventy percent of children who abuse prescription drugs admit to getting them from family or friends.

You hold the key to your child's drug-free future, or that of another young person. What can we do to help prevent the misuse or abuse?

We can lock up our medications. Prevent your children from abusing your own medication by securing your meds in places your child cannot access.

Properly dispose of old and unused medications so that they aren't laying around the house where they might be a temptation.

Set clear rules. Express your disapproval of using prescription drugs without a prescription. Monitor your child's behavior to ensure that the rules are being followed.

Share your knowledge, experience and support with the parents of your child's friends. Together, you can create a tipping point for change and raise safe, healthy and drug-free children.

Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, there has been an increase in the nonmedical use of or abuse of prescription drugs in the United States. A lot of adults are on this list.

Although many prescription drugs can be abused, there are several classifications of medications that are commonly abused. The three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused are:

Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain - most commonly abused opioids, which are also known as narcotics and opiates, are morphine, codeine and vicodin;

Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. The most commonly abused depressants, also known as tranquilizers or sedatives, are Xanax (referred to as bars), Valium and Nembutal; and

Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The most commonly abused stimulants are Ritalin and Adderall.

Educate yourself and your children. Learn about the most commonly abused types of prescription medications shown above. Then communicate the dangers to your child regularly; once is not enough.

What should you do it your child already has a problem? If you suspect your teen is using drugs, do not wait to do something about it. Visit the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration at www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov for a listing of treatment centers in your area, or call 1-800-662 - HELP (4357).