how can you stop adolosecent prescription drug abuse
There are many different ways to prevent the abuse of prescription medications, and each different way is very effective. According to Hazelden, a drug and alcohol rehab center, states that, "pervasive, consistent messages to young people about drugs and alcohol can prevent substance abuse" (Preventing Adolescent Substance Abuse). An article from the DEA Administrator agrees saying, "by preventing drug abuse where it starts, we can make a tremendous difference in the life of our nation: one community, one family and one child at a time" (DEA Administrator: Help Us Stop Prescription Drug Abuse). Both of these are expressing the fact that the people who can stop and prevent the abuse of prescription medications are the parents and communities of these adolescents. Most of teens are uninformed and have not been reached or told by their parents what these drugs are and the dangers behind them. Responsibility for the prevention of prescription drugs belongs to many individuals and groups, not just school-based prevention programs. The responsibility of preventing prescription drug abuse does not belong to one person but the entire community. Organizations such ONDCP (Obama National Drug Control Strategy) are created to promote the prevention of prescription drug abuse. Something must be done and it will take a team effort to stop the abuse of prescription medications. Another way to prevent the abuse of prescription medications is to keep these drugs out of sight and out of the hands of adolescents. An article from the DEA Administrator states that "a recent survey found that over 70 prevent of those who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives" (DEA Administrator: Help Us Stop Prescription Drug Abuse). An article from Casa Palmera goes even further and says, "safeguard all drugs at home by monitoring their quantities and controlling access to them" (What Parents Should Know About Prescription Drug Use Why Casa Treatments Location Admissions). The fewer teens are around these prescription drugs the less they will be able to obtain these drugs and use them. Most teens are getting these drugs from their own cabinets and that is why more and more teens are using them every day. Ways that parents can do this are by throwing away and hiding in the trash any unused medications and asking friends and family to do the same. Ways to find different ways to stop drug abuse if by going on Promoteprevent.org a website that provides different ways of preventing prescription drug abuse. The more parents prevent and safeguard these drugs the less chance their teens will abuse these drugs.