Memo and Fact Sheet
Memorandum
TO: John Bono
FROM: Graham Thomas
DATE: February 11, 2008
SUBJECT: Prescription Drug Abuse
The Problem
Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in the United States, especially among teenagers and young adults. Many teens believe that drugs prescribed by a doctor are safe because they are legal and are used to help people. However, many of these prescription drugs when taken without a prescription can be extremely dangerous. This misinformation is the driving force behind the problem.
Teenagers are abusing prescription drugs more than any other drug, including marijuana. Teens abuse more prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined 1. There are four main types of prescription drugs being commonly abused, pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Pain medications, such as Oxycontin, are very similar to heroin and have high addiction and overdose rates. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America’s annual tracking study, in 2006, twenty percent (4.5 million) of teens report having used prescription drugs to get high and that number is rising. [1]
Moreover, this problem exists for several reasons, some of which are unrelated to teenagers. First, adults, including; parents, relatives, and friends of teens, are uninformed of the problem. Most teens get the drugs from relatives and friends who are unaware of the dilemma, and who leave medications in easy access areas. Most teens who abuse prescription drugs say they are easy to get and usually free. [2] Second, many parents simply do not discuss prescription drug abuse with their teens. Studies show that only a third of parents have discussed the risk of prescription drugs with their children.
The Audience
Teenage drug abuse is a problem that affects all Americans. However, this document primarily targets teenagers, parents and relatives of the teens. Teenagers need educated about prescription drugs, and the first step to prevent teenage drug abuse is to educate their parents. Parents all over the country are uninformed about the risks of prescription drugs, and how to prevent them. Parents are the main role models in a teen’s life, and they need to be the ones that discuss prescription drug abuse with their own children. Relatives and other adults that are around teens also need to be educated, so medications do not fall into the wrong hands.
Educating
The first priority is to educate parents about the risks of prescription drugs, so they can educate and protect their children. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is attempting to tackle this by running a $30 million ad campaign. The following are some of the things in the ad campaign. 1
· Two television ads, one appearing during the Super Bowl, and the other for 27 networks nationwide.
· An Open Letter to parents in 43 national and regional newspapers such as The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The Los Angeles Times endorced by 11 leading health, medical, prevention, and educational organizations.
· Two print ads targeting parents in 14 national magazines.
· Online banner ads targeting parents for TheAntiDrug.com.
· A new brochure on teen prescription drug abuse for parents.
[3]Doctors and pharmacists need to play a role in informing the public as well. They should provide the public with brochures, fact sheets, and important information, since they are the health professionals that come into contact with the public and provide the prescription drugs.
What should the parents do?
Parents have the most important role in preventing prescription drug abuse among teens. Some recommendations are:
- Parents need to talk to their kids about the risks of abusing prescription drugs. Focusing on how prescription drugs are just as dangerous as “street drugs.”
- Parents need to monitor all prescription medications in the house. They need to be kept in a safe place and used according to directions. No medications should be left around the house, in medicine cabinets, or anywhere teenagers can have access to them.
- Parents need to demonstrate the proper use of prescription drugs according to the doctor’s and pharmacist’s directions. They need to show their children the importance of following the instructions. Rules must be set at home regarding medications, such as no sharing meds, no mixing with other meds, and taking the proper dosage.3
- Parents need to properly dispose of unused and old medications in the trash. They also need to make sure that children do not have access to them once they are thrown in the trash.
- Parents need to educate friends and relatives about the risks of teenage prescription drug abuse, and ask them to keep their medication inaccessible to teens.
Conclusion
My project will primarily focus on how to educate parents and teenagers about the risks of prescription drug abuse. Additionally, I will give recommendations to parents on how to prevent their teens from abusing prescription drugs.
Risks of Prescription Drug Abuse among Teens
This fact sheet is to provide parents and teenagers with information on the risk of prescription drug abuse.
What are the risks?
Many teens and adults think that prescription drugs are safe because they are given by a doctor and have legitimate reasons for use. Prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal “street drugs”. Prescription pain medications, such as Oxycontin and methadone, are especially dangerous because of their similarity to heroin. Oxycontin is extremely addictive and can be deadly.
What prescription drugs are being used?
1. Pain relievers – Oxycontin, Vicodin, Methadone, Percocet, Demerol…etc.
2. Sedatives – depressants, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications. Xanax and Valium are commonly abused sedatives.
3. Stimulants – amphetimines are used for ADHD and narcolepsy. Commonly abused stimulants are Adderal, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. [1]
What are the Facts?
- One in five teenagers have abused prescription drugs.
-Pain killers are the most commonly abused prescription drug by teens.
-More teens have abused prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines combined.
-Girls have higher abuse rates than boys (4.3% to 3.6%).
- Prescription drugs are the most commonly abused drug in America by teens. 2
How are teens getting the drugs?
Most teens who experiment with prescription drugs get them from relatives or friends. Uninformed adults leave medications in places like the medicine cabinet where teens can have easy access. The drugs are also being sold illegally on the street.
What can be done?
Parents need to be educated about prescription drug abuse, so they can educate and protect their children. Organizations like the White House Office on Drug Control Policy and The Anti-drug are helping to inform parents and teenagers of the issue. The ONDCP has created an ad campaign sponsored by the federal government to help educate the public. [1] Doctors, Pharmacists, and other health professionals need to provide information to the public as well.
What can parents do?
- Talk to their teens about prescription drugs and the risks.
- Demonstrate proper use of medications by following proper dosages and directions. Make rules for children to follow for safety.
- Monitor all medications in the house and keep them in a safe place.
- Dispose of all unused and old medications properly.
- Educate others and recommend they follow safety precautions as well.
1 “ONDCP Launches Initiative to Combat Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.” Office of National Drug Control Policy. 5 February, 2008. <http://www.jointogether.org/news/yourturn/announcements/2008/ondcp-launches-major.html>.
2 “Prescription Drug Abuse: A Serious Problem.” Partnership for a Drug-Free America. <http://www.drugfree.org/Parent/Resources/Prescription_Medicine_Misuse.>
3 “What you can do.” Parents: The Anti-Drug. 6 Feb, 2008. http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/rxdrugs_otc.pdf.
