According to research conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org (as well as other reputable national studies) as many as one in five teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it. This behavior cuts across geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries.
Why are some teens abusing prescription drugs? For a variety of reasons. To party and get high, in some cases, but also to ― manage or ― regulate their lives. They’re abusing some prescription stimulants (such as Ritalin and Adderall) to give them additional energy and ability to focus when they’re studying or taking tests. They’re abusing prescription pain relievers (like OxyContin) and tranquilizers such as (Xanax) to cope with academic, social or emotional stress. They’re abusing prescription amphetamines to lose weight, or prescription steroids to bulk up.
Our research shows that parents are not communicating the risks of prescription drug abuse to their teens as often as they talk about illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
This is partly because some parents are unaware of the behavior (it wasn’t as prevalent when they were teenagers), and partly because those who are aware of teen abuse of prescription drugs tend to underestimate the risks – just as teens do.
In addition, a recent study by The Partnership at Drugfree.org showed that 28% of parents have themselves taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves. This is not necessarily abuse, but it sets a dangerous example for kids – that the recommended dosage of prescriptions need not be strictly followed.
Take a few minutes and learn more about Teen Abuse of Prescription Drugs. Find out where teens are getting prescription drugs; the short and long-term risks for abusing them; and what parents can do about this behavior in our Fact Sheet: Preventing Teen Abuse of Prescription Drugs (pdf).
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Teenagers want to control their feelings during the onset of puberty and if not given the support they need by their parents, teachers, and friends, they will resort to drugs, unfortunately. It is preventable if someone lets them talk, and listens to them about what they are going through on the inside.
Alexia Miller
Many parents think teenagers are all grown up, but they are just beginiing to get in touch with their deeper feelings. Parents need to be more involved that ever in their teens lives. Taking time to listen is the best way. I like driving my kids to school, it is an informal unpresured time to just talk about what ever is on their minds. We share ideas and I do a lot of listening. It really helps.
What kids want is for someone to listen to them, without judging them. If teens are going through a tough time, they don’t want to be told what to do, or yelled at; just having a parent or therapist to talk to, that wont judge them, is sometimes the best thing for that teen.
it’s too bad that many teens feel the need to engage in prescription drugs. Many prescription medications are extremely unsafe and harmful contrary to the fact that they are legal and regulated while some drugs are not. It is a shame that often these drugs are in fact more harmful than helpful for teens dealing with depression, stress, etc.
Todays society and the Law makers are mostly to blame for this drug epidemic problem, with it’s “quick fixes” for every ailment and not making drug dealers do long term jail time for this crime. Fines don’t work to punish and keep drugs off our streets, It just tells dealers to deal more drugs to pay the fines.. a viscious cycle. Our kids need jobs, and education in schools and at home re: consequences of drug addiction. Other Countries deal with this problem with stricter laws. Send the drug dealers far away with the bare necessities to survive, and educate,and diagnos them continually.