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Myths About Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse
By Linda Surks, BS, CPS
As most of you know, there has been an
alarming increase in prescription drug
abuse reported by teens in recent years.
That increase may be due in part to some
of the myths surrounding the use of
prescription drugs. Misuse of prescription
drugs is illegal and dangerous, but in
reality, many teens aren’t getting the
message about the risks involved or they
are getting incorrect information from
their peers. Here are some of the myths
surrounding teen prescription drug abuse:
Myth: Prescription Medications
Are Safer to Abuse Than
Other Illicit Substances.
Truth: Many teens incorrectly believe that
prescription drugs are a safer way to get
high, cope with stress or perform better
at school or on the field. After all, they’ve
seen their moms; dads, grandparents and
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Volume: III Issue: 3 March 2010
other family members take the very same
medications to treat various illnesses. So,
how bad can they be? When misused or
taken without a doctor’s prescription, these
drugs can be just as harmful as illegal
street drugs. Mixing different prescription
drugs together or with alcohol or other
substances—as many teens do—can have
grave and possibly deadly consequences.
Myth: Unlike Underage Drinking and
Marijuana Use, Using and Sharing
Prescription Medications is Legal.
Truth: Using these drugs without a
doctor’s prescription or abusing someone
else’s prescriptions—or your own—is
always harmful, not to mention illegal.
Myth: Everyone Is Doing it.
Truth: While one in five teens admits to
using prescription drugs recreationally to
get high or help manage their lives, the vast
majority (80 percent) are not abusing these
drugs. Try not to normalize teen prescription
drug abuse. It’s important to avoid language
that suggests a majority of teens are abusing
prescription drugs and to correct your teen
if they think that “everybody’s doing it.”
Myth: Teens Often Get
Prescription Medications From
Drug Dealers on the Street.
Truth: Unfortunately, it’s very easy for
teens to get their hands on prescription
Continued on Page 2
Continued from Page 1
drugs. In fact, prescription drug abuse may
start at the nearest medicine cabinet. The
majority of teens (8 out of 10) get prescription
drugs from friends or relatives by stealing,
buying or simply asking for them. Some
teens also get these drugs by purchasing
them online at illegal Internet pharmacies.
Myth: It Won’t Happen to My Teen.
Truth: This is very dangerous thinking.
The reality is that every teenager—even
the most accomplished—is vulnerable.
The teen years are full of uncertainties. Teens
are on a road to self discovery, constantly
comparing themselves to their peers and
pushing the limits of their independence.
They want to fit in and be well liked, while
also balancing other goals, like getting
into a good college. Since the teen brain
is not yet fully developed, their judgment
and ability to make sound decisions is not
as good as they (or you) might think.
Taken together, it’s no wonder teens are
prone to a variety of risk-taking behaviors.
Understanding what might motivate them to
abuse prescription drugs can help parents,
teachers, coaches and others ask the right
questions and intervene. The good news
is that kids who continue to learn about
the risks of drugs at home are up to 50
percent less likely to use drugs than those
who are not taught about these dangers.
For information, brochures and videos related
to Prescription and Over the Counter Drug
abuse, please contact NCADD at 732-254-
3344. We are also available for professional
presentations on this and other subject
matter related to the mission of NCADD.
Source: National Council on Patient Information and
Education, www.talkaboutrx.org
2
Proper Disposal of
Prescription Drugs
Federal Guidelines:
• Do not flush prescription drugs down
the toilet or drain unless the label or
accompanying patient information
specifically instructs you to do so.
• To dispose of prescription drugs not
labeled to be flushed, you may be able to
take advantage of community drug take‐
back programs or other programs, such
as household hazardous waste collection
events, that collect drugs at a central
location for proper disposal. Call your
city or county government’s household
trash and recycling service and ask if a
drug take‐back program is available in
your community.
• If a drug take‐back or collection program
is not available:
1. Take your prescription drugs out of
their original containers.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable
substance, such as cat litter or used
coffee grounds.
3. Put the mixture into a disposable
container with a lid, such as an empty
margarine tub, or into a sealable bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal
information, including Rx number, on
the empty containers by covering it
with black permanent marker or duct
tape, or by scratching it off.
5. Place the sealed container with
the mixture, and the empty drug
containers, in the trash.
Keep an eye out of the 2010 version of
Operation Medicine Cabinet. In November
2009, many communities and law
enforcement agencies across New Jersey
teamed to collect (and incinerate) 9,000
pounds of unwanted prescription drugs the
nation’s first statewide pill drive. We are
looking forward to another successful event.
Tips for keeping your kids drug free
Research shows that recent
trends in youth drug use
have stabilized; however, the
rates of use remain at high
levels. It has been shown
that the earlier drug use is
initiated, the more likely a
person is to develop drug
problems later in life.
Parents are the most
important role models in
their children’s lives. What
you say and do about
drugs matters a lot when
it comes to the choices
your children make.
As a parents, there are some
basic steps you can take:
• Set a positive example
and get involved in
your children’s lives;
• Get involved in their
activities, know their
friends and know
where they’re going and
what they’re doing;
• Create clear, consistent
expectations and
enforce them;
• Talk early and often
about drugs;
• Discuss the consequences
of drug use; and
• Show you care
enormously about what
choices your children
make about drugs.
Children learn by
example. They adopt the
values you demonstrate
through your actions.
Tips for Your
Preschool Child
It may seem premature
to talk about drugs with
preschoolers, but the
attitudes and habits that
they form at this age have
an important bearing on the
decisions they will make
when they are older. At this
early age, they are eager
to know and memorize
rules, and they want your
opinion on what’s “bad” and
what’s “good.” Although
they are old enough to
understand that smoking
is bad for them, generally
they are not ready to take
in complex facts about
alcohol, tobacco and other
drugs. Nevertheless, this
is a good time to practice
the decision-making and
problem-solving skills that
they will need later on.
Tips for Your
Elementary
School Child
A child this age usually
shows increasing interest in
the world outside the family
and home. Discuss how
anything you put in your
body that is not food, water
or juice can be extremely
harmful, and how drugs
interfere with the way our
bodies work and can make
a person very sick or even
cause them to die. Explain
the idea of addiction—that
drug use can become a very
bad habit that is hard to
stop. Praise your children
for taking good care of their
bodies and avoiding things
3
that might harm them.
Tips for Your Middle
School Child
The year your child enters
middle school or junior
high school is both an
exciting and a challenging
time. They are little fish in
a big pond and often want
desperately to fit in. Because
your children may now see
older students using alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs
and may think they are
cool and self-assured, your
children may be tempted
to try drugs too. Drug use
goes up dramatically in
the first year of middle
school or junior high.
Ensuring Your Child’s
School is Drug-Free
Children have the best
prospects for leading
healthy, drug-free lives when
schools support parents in
their anti-drug message.
There should be nothing
confusing or contradictory
in what children learn
about drugs from the adults
in their lives, and school
policies need to reflect
the same attitude toward
alcohol and drugs that you
express at home: Drug use
is not acceptable. and the
use of drugs may cause
absenteeism and ultimately
a loss of motivation.
Students who use them can
be disruptive and drain
teachers’ time and energy.
 Staff Secret To a Conversation With Your Teens
Steven G. Liga,
MSW, LSW, LCADC, CPS, CCS How often have you heard your child say “Don’t you
CEO & Executive Director trust me?” Usually, we answer “yes”. But when it comes
Alexandra Lopez, to decision-making about the use of alcohol, tobacco
MA, LCADC, SAC, CPS, DRCC
Deputy Director and other drugs, it’s not just about trust; it’s about
Ezra Helfand, BA understanding the adolescent brain. There is a reason
Public Information Specialist
so many of our teens and preteens behave as if they are
Jacqueline Jackson, MBA
Financial Manager immortal, acting on impulse without considering the
consequences. Blame it partially on their brain.
East Brunswick Office
Lissette M. Bacharde The part of the brain that promotes impulsivity and
Administrative Assistant
risk-taking develops early in teens, while the brain area
Al-Karim Campbell, BA responsible for thinking, planning, good judgment,
Preventionist I
decision-making and impulse control is undergoing the
Padma Sonti Desai, MA most change (and will continue to develop well into
Preventionist I
a person’s mid-twenties). Because of this lack of brain
Dara Jarosz, MA, SAC
Clinician I
maturity, teens and preteens do not have the ability to
control impulses like adults do, which in turn increases
Christina Rak-Samson, BA
Preventionist I an adolescent’s chance of engaging in risky behavior, like
smoking, drinking and illegal drug use.
Linda Surks, BS, CPS
Preventionist II
Research tells us that the middle school years, ages 11-
Laura Tittel, BA
Preventionist I 13, are the most vulnerable for children when it comes to
Jason Victor, BA, CPS
the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. As children
Preventionist II and parents enter this challenging time, increased
Heather Ward, MSW, LSW communication and information about alcohol, tobacco
Preventionist I and other drugs has been shown to make a positive
difference and serve as a deterrent to youth using alcohol,
Carteret Office tobacco and other drugs.
Lauren Balkan, MSW, LCSW
Supervisor In this critical stage of development, your child needs
Christine Hughes, MSW, LSW a parent, not a “trusting” friend, to step in, set clear
Preventionist I
boundaries and serve as that impulse control. For more
Anna Kirzner MSW, LCSW
Clinician II information and resources on how to speak with your
Lindsay Rich, MSW, LCSW child, call NCADD at 732-254-3344.
Clinician II
Dana Tosk, BA
Administrative Assistant The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
(NCADD) of Middlesex County, Inc. is a private, non-profit,
Board of Trustees community-based health organization providing prevention,
President education, information and referral services to county residents,
Vice President businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, municipal
Katherine Fallon Susan Neshin, M.D
Treasurer alliances, and social service agencies since 1980.
Secretary
Bill DeJianne Sharon Campbell
NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc.
152 Tices Lane
Past President
Brian T. Rose East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Members 732-254-3344
Agim Coma www.ncadd-middlesex.org
Rakesh Ganta
Jeff Jannarone
Steven Polinsky
George Rusuloj
Marjorie Talbot