Moniter Your Teens For OTC Prescription Drug Abuse

We have looked at how household items can be used by teens to get high (Drugs in your cupboard, what your teen could be using under your nose), but your teen has other sources of drugs, that they may be getting for free, or for very little money. Over the counter drugs, are those we all use for illnesses, where a doctor does not need to be called, and the pharmacist is happy to prescribe.

Some pharmacies have started to put certain OTC drugs behind the counter, because of their abuse by teenagers. In addition, there are prescription drugs in many families, sometimes in a drug box, where old unused drugs are still kept, or in your bedside table, your husbands' heart medication, or your asthma treatment. It may seem foolishness beyond belief that a teen could take blood pressure pills to see what the effect might be, but they do, or they take them and sell them to other teens at school who want to experiment.

Examples of over the counter drugs taken by teens

• Cough and cold medications, containing dextromethorphan (DXM) which taken in large doses produces a high, but is very dangerous


• Laxatives, diuretics, emetics, and diet pills, to try and achieve the "perfect" weight


• Ephedrine, caffeine, and phenylpropranolamine - found in diet pills and dangerous in large quantities


• Caffeine, tablets and drinks, to keep awake for exam cramming, in quantity causes shakiness, anxiety, stress on the organs

Prescription medicines on the school "black market"

• Painkillers such as Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, and Percocet - addictive with prolonged use


• Depressants, sedatives, tranquilizers such as Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, OxyContin, and Percocet


• Stimulants like ADHD drugs, asthma meds, and obesity and sleep disorder drugs such as Concerta, Dexedrine, and Ritalin


• Steroids - very popular amongst cheating athletes!

Take a look around your house, how many medicines can you find? The only way you can reduce the likelihood of your teenager taking medications is to remove access to them.

Checklist for making your home drug safe

• Bathroom cabinets - remove and put drugs into a lockable medicine cabinet and HIDE the key


• Bedroom - if you need drugs nearby, keep them in a lockable drawer, with easy but hidden access to the key


• Throw away ALL old prescription medications and past the sell by date drugs


• If you have to keep pills in your handbag or out in the open for emergency access, COUNT the pills, and challenge your teen if any go missing


• Grandparents - the easiest place for your teen to gain access to drugs, so drug proof their house too


• Talk to friends parents about watching out for your teens and potential home drug abuse

Prevention is easier than cure, so talk to your teen about the dangers of prescription medications. If you are not sure if your teen is taking drugs, see, "How can I tell if my teen is abusing drugs?"