Guest column: Teens' prescription drug use on the rise

To celebrate his 16th birthday, Jason is having a "pharm" party. Rather than a present, friends bring prescription drugs from the medicine cabinets at their homes. The drugs are poured into a bowl. The bowl, "trail mix," is passed and partygoers grab a handful of pills — a mixture of anything. The results could be lethal.

Katie overheard her parents talking about how her brother's ADHD medication made him less hungry. Katie was worried about her weight and began sneaking her brother's pills. Katie knew that diet pills could be dangerous, so she wrongfully thought the ADHD pills were safe. They were prescribed by a doctor, came from a pharmacy and she saw an ad on TV. They are safe, right?

A 2009 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows prescription drug abuse among teens on the rise: 20 percent of teens say they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's order. The Partnership for Drug-Free America reports that each day 2,500 children, aged 12 to 17, abuse prescription painkillers.

Today there is more teen abuse of prescription drugs than cocaine, methamphetamine and heroine combined. In 30 years, abuse has tripled.

Teens often learn about drug use from peers. They get dosing information in Internet chat rooms and from blogs. When confronted, they respond with, "But Mom, you take the pills. They don't hurt you" or "Dad, they're legal. Not like pot." They often think that compared to illicit drugs, prescription meds are safer and have fewer side effects and that parents are not as concerned if their children are caught.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that teens can acquire prescription drugs more easily than a six-pack of beer. Access is often free. Kids can also find Internet "pharmacies" and a doctor to authorize a prescription.

The reasons teens give for prescription drug abuse include stress, boredom, competition, recreation and desire for "ideal" appearance. One in five teens has abused pain medication such as Vicodin or OxyContin, or stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall meant for ADHD. They use calming meds like Xanax or Ativan.

It can be difficult to tell if someone is abusing. Watch for changes in eating, sleeping or dressing patterns, peer group change or grades dropping.

Many teens do not realize that using a prescription drug without a doctor's order is abuse and is as illegal as street drugs. Parents can become passive pushers. As with guns not properly stored, if a child gives another child an unsecured home medication and someone dies, civil action could result in the irresponsible parent paying damages. Criminal prosecution is also possible.

Many parents warn their children about illegal drugs or alcohol, but they may fail to mention home medication abuse. Parents can help by storing medications securely and monitoring use. Unused or old medication should be properly destroyed. Parents can explain their own prescription medication use and why the drug is meant for their condition alone.

If you have children in the house, how does your medicine cabinet look?

Lee Propp is a registered pharmacist and owner of Propp Drugs in Anderson.