Don’t be a dealer to your teens Published May 3, 2012 By Nancy Nolin Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Service JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- It seems we can't get away from media reports of tragedy related to the abuse of prescription drugs. But it's not just the celebrities; the problem is closer to home than most people realize. According to an annual survey by the Partnership for a Drug Free America, one in five teens has abused prescription medication, and one in 10 has abused over-the-counter cough medication. There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana. Surprised? Most parents are when they hear about the prevalence of prescription drug abuse by teens. Teens mistakenly believe prescription drugs are not as dangerous as illegal drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine because they have legitimate uses. What they often don't realize is that it can be deadly. This false sense of safety, combined with ease of access, makes for a dangerous combination. The types of medications most frequently abused by teens are painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, sedatives and tranquilizers such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs, and stimulants such as Ritalin. Over-the-counter cough medications containing dextromethorphan are also abused. Mixing various prescription drugs and combining them with alcohol can be life-threatening. Visit drugfree.org and theantidrug.com for detailed information on the signs and symptoms and effects of prescription drug abuse. What can parents do? Monitor the prescriptions in your home and keep track of the amounts and refills. Secure all prescriptions in your home. Sixty-four percent of teens who abused pain relievers reported they obtained them from relatives or friends. Be in the know about the vocabulary of drug abuse. To some degree, we shouldn't really be surprised about the newest drugs of abuse. Our children have grown up with a constant barrage of advertisements about pharmaceuticals, and are used to the ease of access of information the internet quickly provides, where they learn about the effects of various drugs. We need to speak up to counter what our kids learn from the internet and from peers. Make sure your "don't do drugs" message includes the ones in the medicine cabinet. Parents really do have a bigger influence on their teens than peers or media when it comes to decisions about drug use. Kids who learn about the dangers of drugs at home are much less likely to abuse them. So discuss the topic with your teen. See how much they know about the issue. Ask them if they know anyone who abuses prescription meds or cough medicine. Make sure they know where you stand. Adolescence is a critical time for prevention. It is where the pattern of abuse typically begins and it's best interrupted at this stage. By later adolescence, attitudes and behaviors are not as easily changed. Age is a powerful predictor of future problems, especially if use begins before age 15. Adults with substance abuse disorders are more likely to have started using in their teens, not during adulthood. If you suspect your child is using, take action. It's best to intervene at the earliest signs of concern. It can be easier to miss the signs of prescription drug abuse because they're not the classic signs of illegal drug abuse. If you want more information, or just want to talk, call your Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Service counselor. ASACS Counselors hold licenses in their respective counseling disciplines as well as certifications in the addictions field. Services are confidential and free to military families of active duty and retired personnel. For more information, call 384-0134.