Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse has been an alarming trend becoming popular in the United States. Our Group's Project was all about how we can inform teens about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and help prevent them from becomign addicted. Our answer was to educate Mr. K's B-2 Health Class all about prescription drug abuse so that they can tell their friends, who can tell their friends. If we all work together we can help prevent prescription drug abuse

                                                                                                                        ~Giedre, Mitch, Alex, and Quinn

The Low Down:

Question: What are Prescription Drugs?

Answer: Drugs with an accepted medical use and can be prescribed by a doctor. This means they are Schedule II- Schedule IV drugs under the U.S Controlled Substance Act

Question: How do Teen's obtain Prescription Drugs?

Answer: Most Teen's obtain prescription drugs from their own homes! Another way they are obtained is from Online Pharmices which often don't require a prescription of verification you are over 18. These are often dangerous becuase there is no way to know is what you are getting is actually what you think it is.

Question: How do people do Prescription Drugs?

Answer: Often times prescription drugs are done and "Pharm" Parties where everyone brings a prescription drug and pours it into a bowl which is then passed around. Everyone takes a handful and precedes to swallow or snort the drugs. This is VERY dangerous because you have no idea what you are taking. The mix of drugs is to often deadly.

Question: What are some commonly abused Prescription Drugs?

Answer: Many teens will abuse anything they can find, from Oxycotin to Robotussin. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are Pain Relievers (Ex: OxyContin, Vicodin, Demerol), followed by CNS depressents (Ex: Valium, Xanax), followed by Stimulants (Ex: Ritalin, Adderall). 

Statistics:

In 2000, Of people who were taken to the emergency room for drug overdoses, 43% of them were there for an overdose of a prescription drug

In 2007 a study showed that 4% of 8th graders, 11% of 10th graders, and 12% of 12th graders had abused prescription drugs atleast once in the last year

Here is our groups powerpoint from class:

Prescription Drug Power Point.ppt

And Remember:

Prevention Starts with Information!