September 19, 2005
For years, parents have
worried that their teens (and pre-teens) will abuse alcohol and/
or illegal street drugs. Teens often worry about friends who they
think will make choices while under the influence of something...
and later regret what was done. Most have heard about the dangers
of smoking, drinking, and using illegal drugs.
So, what about "drugs"
that are "safe" because they are obtained from a doctor
"Thursday, July 7,
2005; 1:30 PM
Abuse of prescription drugs is 'epidemic,' with teenagers the fastest
growing group of new abusers, yet the problem has not drawn adequate
attention from health and law enforcement agencies, physicians,
pharmacists and parents, according to a study released today. Abusers
of prescription drugs -- 15.1 million people -- exceed the combined
number abusing cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin, the
report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
Columbia University said."
While access to illegal
street drugs may be more difficult in some areas, access to alcohol
and prescription medications (which are legal when prescribed and
taken under the care of a doctor) is often more consistent.
the mother of abuse,' said Joseph A. Califano Jr., the center's
chairman and former U.S. secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.
'When I was young my parents would lock their liquor cabinet. It
may be parents should be thinking of locking their medicine cabinets.'
... 'Add in that we're inventing more and better and more powerful
drugs of all these types all the time and you have to see that there
are going to be more substances available, not fewer...'"
But we are talking about
"medicine" right? Not "drugs"?
A drug is:
"(1) : a substance recognized in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary
(2) : a substance intended for use in the
diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease
(3) : a substance other than food intended to
affect the structure or function of the body"
While a drug can treat
and prevent disease if used properly, in doing so it is affecting
"the structure or function of the body." When used for
purposes other than those for which it was designed -- and in ways
that manufacturers and doctors never intended -- "the structure
or function of the body" can be affected in ways that can cause
health problems rather than solve them.
"Many abuse prescription
drugs on the misunderstanding that they are safe, when in fact they
can cause addiction and severe side effects. Opiate-based pain relievers
are quite addictive and can slow breathing to potentially deadly
slow levels, said John K. Jenkins, MD ... Kyle Moores, a 19-year-old
who is recovering from prescription drug
addiction, spoke about the price that he paid. A friend offered
him prescription pain relievers for free, but then as his dependency
grew, so did the price. In time, he was paying $50 a pill and maxing
out credit cards to continue his habit. That's when he knew he had
to get help. 'I didnt have anything left,' he says."
"...they can cause
addiction and severe side effects..."
are readily available and can easily be obtained by teenagers who
abuse these drugs to experience a variety of desired effects. Often
these young people are unaware of the serious health risks involved
in abusing prescription drugs."
[such as] Dilaudid, Lorcet, Lortab, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan,
Tylox, Vicodin [are
prescribed for] Pain, cough, diarrhea [and are responsible for adverse
effects, such as] Life-threatening respiratory depression.
tranquilizers, barbiturates, sedatives) [such as] Valium, Xanax
[are prescribed for]
Anxiety, sleep disorders [and are responsible for adverse effects,
such as] Seizures, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate.
as] Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin [are prescribed for] Narcolepsy,
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obesity [and are responsible
for adverse effects, such as] High body temperature, irregular heart
rate, cardiovascular system failure, fatal seizures, hostility or
feelings of paranoia"
These medications can be
responsible for adverse effects, such as:
"Life-threatening respiratory depression..."
"Seizures, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate..."
"High body temperature, irregular heart rate, cardiovascular
system failure, fatal seizures, hostility or feelings of paranoia..."
Too much information? Let's
focus on one medication most teens have at least heard about, and
to which many have easy access: Ritalin.
"High doses of stimulants
produce a predictable set of symptoms that include loss of appetite
(may cause serious malnutrition), tremors and muscle twitching,
fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe), irregular heartbeat
and respirations (may be profound and life threatening), anxiety,
restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, excessive
repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, and formicaton (sensation
of bugs or worms crawling under the skin)."
can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and
vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate
and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally
depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss,
and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug
dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal."
Some may take the medication
as directed by the doctor andmay experience adverse effects. Some
may take a medication and benefit greatly. Some may see their medications
as a "harmless" way to make some quick money on the side.
"In December 2001
a 17-year-old Georgia resident was indicted on manslaughter and
reckless conduct charges for supplying OxyContin to a 15-year-old
who died from an overdose of the drug."
Questions of the Week:
Why do you think that prescription medications are thought of as
safer than traditional street drugs? In what ways are they safer?
In what ways might they be more dangerous? How can teachers, parents,
and doctors help teens understand the risks associated with misuse
of prescription medications? What role can you and your peers play
in helping to educate your friends and family members? Whose responsibility
should it be to get this information to teens?
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions.
Note: Due to increasing amounts of SPAM sent to this account, please include "QOW" in the subject line when sending me email.
I look forward to reading
what you have to say.
Health Community Coordinator
Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum