Table Of ContentPlease remember that prescription medicines, when used correctly
and under a doctor’s supervision, are safe and effective.
Most students use prescription drugs Additional Resources
properly, but nearly one in five teens
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
reports abusing them to get high. Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA’s Health Information Network (SHIN)
By their sophomore year in college,
1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727)
about half of all students have been www.SAMHSA.gov/shin
What do
educators
offered the opportunity to abuse a Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)
prescription drug.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
need to know
240-276-2750
www.csat.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Consider these facts: 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357) (Toll-Free)
(English and Spanish)
800-487-4889 (TDD) (Toll-Free)
■■ Teens are engaging in dangerous activities, such
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator:
as crushing pills, then snorting or injecting their
240-276-2548
contents. They also combine them with alcohol or www.samhsa.gov/treatment
illicit drugs. At “pharming parties,” they may dump You care about your students,
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
a variety of drugs in a bowl and take them without
www.nida.nih.gov/parent-teacher.html
and you know them as well as
knowing what they are.
National Council on Patient Information and
anyone. But did you know that
Education (NCPIE)
■■ Teens most commonly abuse pain relievers (e.g., 301-656-8565
OxyContin® and Vicodin®), stimulants (e.g., Ritalin® www.talkaboutrx.org while rates of drug abuse are
and Adderall®), and sedatives and tranquilizers
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) down overall, more and more
(e.g., Valium® and Xanax®). www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com
teens are abusing prescription
National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
■■ It is surprisingly easy for teens to gain access
240-821-1130
drugs today?
to prescription drugs from their families’ medicine www.nasn.org LESSON
cabinets, a friend’s purse, and even a :
schoolmate’s locker! AN IMPORTANT
This brochure was prepared under contract number
270-03-9001 through the Office of Consumer Affairs helping students avoid prescription drug abuse
■■ Young people sometimes illegally order controlled
in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT),
prescription drugs from illegal Web sites. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
SMA # 09-4446
Many teens—and adults, too—have What should I remind my How can I help?
carefree attitudes toward the use of students to do?
Speak to your students about prescription drug
prescription drugs. People ages 12
abuse—do not presume that illegal drugs are the
■■ Respect the power of medicine and use it properly.
to 25 have among the highest rates only threat.
of prescription drug abuse.
■■ Recognize that all medicines, including prescription
Alert parents if you are concerned about their child.
drugs, have risks along with benefits. The risks tend
Let parents know what they can do. A brochure for
to increase dramatically when medicines are abused.
parents, “Talking to your kids about prescription
drug abuse,” is available at www.talkaboutrx.org.
How can I understand What do teens not always realize? ■■ Take responsibility for learning how to take
prescription drugs safely and appropriately. Seek
“Generation Rx”?
Provide a safe and open environment for your
■■ Abusing prescription drugs, even if they are help at the first sign of their own or a friend’s problem.
prescribed by a doctor, is not safer than abusing students to talk about abuse issues. Empathize with
People ages 12 to 25 have among the highest rates of
illegal drugs. the stresses of growing up and identify positive
prescription drug abuse. Parents and others often
outlets that can help relieve teens’ stress, such
underestimate teens’ abuse of prescription drugs.
■■ Misusing prescription drugs can lead to addiction. as sports teams and youth groups.
Teens may have carefree attitudes about prescription drug
abuse and be unaware of the serious and potentially ■■ Using prescription drugs without a doctor’s Hold interactive discussions with your students
life-threatening risks. prescription or abusing someone else’s
to dispel myths and give them the facts.
prescriptions—or your own—is always harmful,
not to mention illegal. Help your students understand
Why do kids abuse
Encourage students to speak with you or
prescription drug abuse—whether
prescription drugs? another faculty member if they suspect a friend may
How do I recognize the signs of
you are a health teacher or simply have a problem. A brochure for teens, “Prescription
prescription drug abuse?
■■ They are seeking psychological or physical pleasure. drugs: They can help but also hurt,” is available at
work closely with students as an
www.talkaboutrx.org.
■■ Decreased or obsessive interest in school work athletic coach, mentor, or guidance
■■ They do not understand the risks of taking drugs
that were not prescribed specifically for them. They
counselor. Take even just a moment Be observant about discussions students may
also fail to realize the danger of mixing prescription ■■ Fatigue, red or glazed eyes, and repeated
have in the hallways about prescription drug abuse.
drugs with alcohol, other prescription drugs, and health complaints to have a brief conversation in the
If you hear misconceptions, join in to correct them
illegal drugs.
hallways or locker room. Remind and show your support.
■■ Sudden mood changes, including irritability,
■■ It is easier to get prescription drugs than illegal drugs. negative attitude, personality changes, and general your students that you are
lack of interest in extracurricular activities
there to help.
■■ There is pressure to get better grades or to fit in with
friends. They also may not be aware of other, positive ■■ An extreme change in groups of friends or
alternatives to help them deal with stress. hangout locations
