kids and prescription drugs (pharming)

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Kids and Kids and Prescription Drugs Prescription Drugs (Pharming) (Pharming) Information and Prevention Information and Prevention April 2009

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Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming). Information and Prevention. April 2009. Training Objectives. Define Pharming and identify ways teens are using prescription drugs to get high. Recognize where kids are getting prescription drugs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Kids and Kids and Prescription Drugs Prescription Drugs

(Pharming)(Pharming)Information and PreventionInformation and Prevention

April 2009

Page 2: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Training ObjectivesTraining Objectives

Define Pharming and identify ways Define Pharming and identify ways teens are using prescription drugs to teens are using prescription drugs to get high.get high.

Recognize where kids are getting Recognize where kids are getting prescription drugs.prescription drugs.

Identify the dangers associated with Identify the dangers associated with teens using prescription and Over-the-teens using prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs. Counter (OTC) drugs.

Page 3: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Recognize the warning signs that a Recognize the warning signs that a child or teen who is doing drugs child or teen who is doing drugs exhibits. exhibits.

Identify things parents can do if they Identify things parents can do if they suspect their child is doing drugs. suspect their child is doing drugs.

Page 4: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

What is Pharming?What is Pharming?Children and teens using prescription Children and teens using prescription drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for recreational use. medicines for recreational use.

Many teens are using these prescription Many teens are using these prescription and OTC drugs at parties to get high.and OTC drugs at parties to get high.

Pharming can have serious Pharming can have serious consequences, including death.consequences, including death.

Kids as young as 12 are trying or using Kids as young as 12 are trying or using prescription drugs.prescription drugs.

Page 5: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

According to the Partnership for a According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, medications can Drug Free America, medications can be abused in a number of ways. Some be abused in a number of ways. Some teens simply swallow the pills or drink teens simply swallow the pills or drink liquids; others may crush the pills liquids; others may crush the pills before snorting or smoking the before snorting or smoking the powder. Others melt or dissolve the powder. Others melt or dissolve the medications, and then inject them. medications, and then inject them. Another popular way of abusing Another popular way of abusing prescription drugs is to mix them with prescription drugs is to mix them with alcohol and street drugs into alcohol and street drugs into cocktails.cocktails.

Page 6: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

How Prevalent Is It?How Prevalent Is It?

In the annual tracking study, conducted In the annual tracking study, conducted by The Partnership for a Drug Free by The Partnership for a Drug Free America, one in five teens has abused a America, one in five teens has abused a prescription pain medication.prescription pain medication.

One in five report abusing prescription One in five report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers. stimulants and tranquilizers.

One in 10 has abused cough One in 10 has abused cough medication.medication.

Page 7: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Where Are Teens Getting Where Are Teens Getting Drugs?Drugs?

According to parents: Teens can easily According to parents: Teens can easily buy OTC cough and cold remedies at buy OTC cough and cold remedies at any supermarket, drugstore or any supermarket, drugstore or convenience store, where these convenience store, where these products are sold. They can also get products are sold. They can also get them from home, or order them over them from home, or order them over the Internet. Even if kids do not order the Internet. Even if kids do not order OTC drugs on-line, they can surf the OTC drugs on-line, they can surf the web to find information and videos on web to find information and videos on what drugs to try and mix together.what drugs to try and mix together.

Page 8: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

What Are Kids Using?What Are Kids Using?

The National Survey on Drug Use and The National Survey on Drug Use and Health identifies pain relievers, Health identifies pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers as being commonly abused. as being commonly abused.

Eleven percent of teens (aged 12-17) Eleven percent of teens (aged 12-17) reported lifetime non-medical use of reported lifetime non-medical use of pain relievers and four percent reported pain relievers and four percent reported lifetime non-medical use of stimulants. lifetime non-medical use of stimulants.

Page 9: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Facts About Prescription DrugsFacts About Prescription Drugs

According to According to Kids HealthKids Health, the most , the most commonly used prescription drugs fall commonly used prescription drugs fall into three categories: into three categories: Opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin,

and Demerol are used for pain, cough and Demerol are used for pain, cough or diarrhea. or diarrhea.

Central Nervous System Depressants Central Nervous System Depressants such as Nembutal, Valium and Xanax such as Nembutal, Valium and Xanax are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks are used to treat anxiety, panic attacks and sleeplessness. and sleeplessness.

Page 10: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall Stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Strattera are used to treat and Strattera are used to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, depression, obesity narcolepsy, ADHD, depression, obesity and asthma.and asthma. Many kids don’t see the dangers of Many kids don’t see the dangers of

these medications, because they these medications, because they think if they are prescribed by a think if they are prescribed by a doctor, they are safe to use.doctor, they are safe to use.

Page 11: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Dangers of Prescription DrugsDangers of Prescription Drugs

Abusing prescription drugs can have Abusing prescription drugs can have serious consequences. According to serious consequences. According to Kids HealthKids Health, a single dose of an opioid , a single dose of an opioid can lower someone's breathing rate and can lower someone's breathing rate and even kill, when it's taken by the wrong even kill, when it's taken by the wrong person, in the wrong circumstances. person, in the wrong circumstances. The risk is higher when opioids are The risk is higher when opioids are taken with other substances like alcohol, taken with other substances like alcohol, antihistamines and central nervous antihistamines and central nervous system (CNS) depressants.system (CNS) depressants.

Page 12: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Taking CNS depressants with other Taking CNS depressants with other medications, such as prescription medications, such as prescription painkillers, some OTC cold and painkillers, some OTC cold and allergy medications, or alcohol can allergy medications, or alcohol can slow a person's heartbeat and slow a person's heartbeat and breathing. This can lead to death.breathing. This can lead to death.

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Page 13: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Alcohol and MedicationsAlcohol and Medications

According to According to Parents,The Anti-DrugParents,The Anti-Drug: : mixing alcohol with certain medications mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting and headaches, drowsiness, fainting and loss of coordination. loss of coordination.

Risks for users include internal Risks for users include internal bleeding, difficulty in breathing and bleeding, difficulty in breathing and heart problems.heart problems.

Page 14: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Effects of StimulantsEffects of StimulantsKids HealthKids Health states the following effects of states the following effects of taking stimulants:taking stimulants: Heart failure or seizures.Heart failure or seizures. Development of a dangerously high Development of a dangerously high

body temperature or an irregular body temperature or an irregular heartbeat.heartbeat.

Taking several high doses over a short Taking several high doses over a short period of time may make a drug abuser period of time may make a drug abuser aggressive or paranoid.aggressive or paranoid.

May be habit forming. May be habit forming.

Page 15: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Effects of Over-The-Counter Effects of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drugs(OTC) Drugs

Dextromethorphan (DXM) can be found Dextromethorphan (DXM) can be found in cough medicines. High doses can in cough medicines. High doses can cause problems with the senses cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can (especially vision and hearing) and can lead to confusion, stomach pain, lead to confusion, stomach pain, numbness and even hallucinations. numbness and even hallucinations. Teens are using these OTC Teens are using these OTC medications to get highs.medications to get highs.

Page 16: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Warning Signs a Child Is Warning Signs a Child Is Abusing Prescription/OTC DrugsAbusing Prescription/OTC Drugs

Unexplained disappearance of Unexplained disappearance of medicines from medicine cabinet. medicines from medicine cabinet.

Visits to pro-drug Internet sites devoted Visits to pro-drug Internet sites devoted to teaching others how to get and to teaching others how to get and abuse prescription and OTC drugs. abuse prescription and OTC drugs.

Declining grades; loss of interest in Declining grades; loss of interest in hobbies and usual activities. hobbies and usual activities.

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Changes in physical appearance, Changes in physical appearance, hygiene, behavior and friends. hygiene, behavior and friends.

Disrupted eating or sleeping patterns. Disrupted eating or sleeping patterns.

Child has cough or cold, prescription, Child has cough or cold, prescription, or other unidentifiable medications or other unidentifiable medications among their personal belongings among their personal belongings although they have not been ill. although they have not been ill.

(Partnership for a Drug-Free America)(Partnership for a Drug-Free America)

Page 18: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Safeguarding PrescriptionsSafeguarding Prescriptions

Due to the easy access of the family Due to the easy access of the family medicine cabinet, there are things medicine cabinet, there are things parents can do to safeguard their parents can do to safeguard their children from taking prescription drugs children from taking prescription drugs to get high. to get high.

Parents should do an inventory of the Parents should do an inventory of the contents of the medicine cabinet, contents of the medicine cabinet, kitchen cabinets, dressers, or kitchen cabinets, dressers, or anywhere else medicine may be stored.anywhere else medicine may be stored.

Page 19: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

If necessary, parents may have to If necessary, parents may have to monitor pill quantities and medicine monitor pill quantities and medicine levels in prescription and OTC drug levels in prescription and OTC drug containers. containers. Drugs should be put away. If an adult Drugs should be put away. If an adult currently needs them, they should be currently needs them, they should be put in a place where they can get to put in a place where they can get to them, but not where their children can them, but not where their children can find them. find them. If there are drugs left over from a If there are drugs left over from a previous illness or injury, they should previous illness or injury, they should be disposed of. be disposed of.

Page 20: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Parents should urge their friends to Parents should urge their friends to perform medicine inventories of perform medicine inventories of their own. This is especially true in their own. This is especially true in the case of the parents of their the case of the parents of their children’s friends. children’s friends.

(The Partnership for a Drug Free America)(The Partnership for a Drug Free America)

Page 21: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

What Else Can Parents Do?What Else Can Parents Do?

According to the According to the Substance Abuse and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA),(SAMHSA), parents should learn about parents should learn about the abuse of prescription drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs and educate themselves on the dangers. educate themselves on the dangers.

Parents should look for opportunities Parents should look for opportunities to talk to their kids about prescription to talk to their kids about prescription drug abuse and other substance abuse drug abuse and other substance abuse issues.issues.

Page 22: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

In our society, there seems to be a pill In our society, there seems to be a pill to cure every illness. When parents to cure every illness. When parents see ads and television shows that see ads and television shows that suggest there is a pill for every ailment, suggest there is a pill for every ailment, they should discuss this with their kids. they should discuss this with their kids. It is important for parents to know the It is important for parents to know the friends of their children and what they friends of their children and what they like to do, so they can be alerted to like to do, so they can be alerted to unusual hang outs or activities. unusual hang outs or activities. Getting acquainted with the parents of Getting acquainted with the parents of their children’s friends is a good idea their children’s friends is a good idea too, so there will be a network of adults too, so there will be a network of adults who can be trusted to monitor the who can be trusted to monitor the safety of the children at all times. safety of the children at all times.

Page 23: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

What To Do If A Teen Does What To Do If A Teen Does Have a Drug ProblemHave a Drug Problem

According to According to The Partnership for a Drug The Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaFree America, teen drug abuse is tied to , teen drug abuse is tied to two different urges: two different urges: The desire to feel good by experimenting The desire to feel good by experimenting

with drugs, while also trying to fit in. with drugs, while also trying to fit in. Using drugs to help deal sources of Using drugs to help deal sources of

stress, whether it is schoolwork, stress, whether it is schoolwork, relationships, or conflicts with family or relationships, or conflicts with family or friends. friends.

Page 24: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

If a parents thinks their child is using, If a parents thinks their child is using, The The Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaPartnership for a Drug Free America lists lists these points parents should follow: these points parents should follow: The power of love and family support is The power of love and family support is

essential. There will need to be a frank essential. There will need to be a frank discussion between parents and their discussion between parents and their child. child.

Parents should not make the discussion Parents should not make the discussion an attack. an attack.

If a child seems to be under the If a child seems to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that is not influence of alcohol or drugs, that is not the best time to talk to them. the best time to talk to them.

Page 25: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

Parents should wait for a calm Parents should wait for a calm moment, and then explain why they moment, and then explain why they are worried about a certain behavior. are worried about a certain behavior. Children should be given the Children should be given the opportunity to explain. Parents must opportunity to explain. Parents must really listen and not do all the talking. really listen and not do all the talking.

It is important for parents to share It is important for parents to share their values and speak frankly. They their values and speak frankly. They should let their child know how dead should let their child know how dead set they are against drugs. set they are against drugs.

Page 26: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

““I” messages are very important. It I” messages are very important. It explains how a child’s drug use explains how a child’s drug use affects their parents and family.affects their parents and family.

If a child seems evasive or if their If a child seems evasive or if their explanation is not convincing, explanation is not convincing, parents need to consult their doctor parents need to consult their doctor or a professional substance abuse or a professional substance abuse counselor to rule out illness and to counselor to rule out illness and to ask for advice.ask for advice.

Page 27: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

If there are emotional issues, parents If there are emotional issues, parents may also want to take their child to a may also want to take their child to a professional counselor. professional counselor.

Even if a child seems non-responsive Even if a child seems non-responsive or belligerent, if parents suspect drug or belligerent, if parents suspect drug use, they should get help use, they should get help immediately. immediately.

A health professional skilled in A health professional skilled in diagnosing adolescents with alcohol diagnosing adolescents with alcohol or drug problems can perform a or drug problems can perform a thorough evaluation.thorough evaluation.

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Parents may want to get involved in Parents may want to get involved in an intervention program to learn an intervention program to learn techniques that will help convince a techniques that will help convince a teen drug user to accept help. teen drug user to accept help.

For drug abusers, there are self-help, For drug abusers, there are self-help, outpatient, day care, residency and outpatient, day care, residency and 24-hour hospitalization programs. 24-hour hospitalization programs.

Page 29: Kids and Prescription Drugs (Pharming)

The right program depends on the The right program depends on the circumstances and the degree of drug circumstances and the degree of drug involvement. Professionals can help involvement. Professionals can help families make an informed decision. families make an informed decision.

Whatever the choice, if a program is to Whatever the choice, if a program is to succeed, the family needs to be a part succeed, the family needs to be a part of it. Personal or family counseling of it. Personal or family counseling may be needed. Joining a support may be needed. Joining a support group where families can learn about group where families can learn about co-dependency and prevention of co-dependency and prevention of future drug use, may also be needed. future drug use, may also be needed.

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Family doctors, local hospitals, school Family doctors, local hospitals, school counselors, or county mental health counselors, or county mental health organizations can supply families with organizations can supply families with information about programs in their information about programs in their area. Parents can also call the national area. Parents can also call the national helpline at 800-662-HELP for advice or helpline at 800-662-HELP for advice or how to contact a local provider. how to contact a local provider.

No matter what, parents need to No matter what, parents need to remember that they can not give up. remember that they can not give up. Their child is the same little boy or girl Their child is the same little boy or girl they raised, they are just way over their they raised, they are just way over their heads and they need their parents more heads and they need their parents more than ever.than ever.

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For More InformationFor More InformationFamily Guide (SAMHSA), Family Guide (SAMHSA), http://family.samhsa.gov/monitor/howpresdrughttp://family.samhsa.gov/monitor/howpresdrug.aspx.aspx

Kids Health, Kids Health, http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/phttp://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.htmlrescription_drug_abuse.html

Parents, The Anti-Drug, Parents, The Anti-Drug, www.theantidrug.comwww.theantidrug.com

The Partnership For A Drug Free America, The Partnership For A Drug Free America, http://www.drugfree.org/#http://www.drugfree.org/#

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Missouri Department of Social Services Missouri Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance TeamState Technical Assistance Team

Address:Address:

PO Box 208PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City, MO 65102-020865102-0208

Telephone: Telephone: (573) 751-5980(573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Monday – Friday)

Email:Email:

   [email protected]