He lth ull tin Health Bulletin N E W

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N E W Y O RK C I T Y D E PA RT ME N T OF H E ALT H A N D ME N TA L H YG I E N E
# 6 9 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Yo r k e r s
Is your child abusing
prescription drugs?
• Available in Spanish and Chinese: call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health
• Disponible en español: llame al 311 o visite nyc.gov/health
•
nyc.gov/health
nyc.gov/health
Is your child abusing prescription drugs?: Volume 8 – Number 2
A surprising number of children abuse
prescription medicines.
• About 1 in 5 teens nationwide has abused prescription drugs –
more than have tried ecstasy, cocaine, crack or LSD.
• Prescription medications are now the second most frequently
abused drugs among teens (after marijuana).
• Taking drugs without a prescription, or sharing prescriptions
with someone else, is illegal.
Some commonly abused prescription medications:
• Painkillers (such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Darvon and Dilaudid)
• ADHD drugs (such as Ritalin, Adderal and Concerta)
• Diet pills (such as Adipex and Zantrex)
• Sedatives (such as Phenobarbitol and Seconal)
• Anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers (such as Xanax, Valium
and Halcion).
Over-the-counter medicines can also be abused:
• Cough medicines that contain dextromethorphan (DXM)
• Sleeping pills and diet pills.
Prescription drugs are easy to get.
• Kids often get them from a friend or family member – or from
a home medicine cabinet.
• Some buy them from strangers, or from pharmacy websites.
Ni n e go od wa y s t o ke e p
y o u r c hildd o ff d rugg s
A s a paa ree nt, yoo u c a n m a k e a b igg difff e ree n cee .
1. Ta kee a n a cttivv e i ntt e r e stt in yoo u r c h ill d ree n’s lii vee s.
K n ow whh a t t h e y ’ree d oinn g a n d w h o t h e i r f rii e ndd s a r e .
2 . Spenn d t i me witt h them
m . Taa lk r egg ull arr ly abb o ut t h eirr
a c tii viities ann d theirr g oals foo r the f uturr e..
3.. Monn itoo r your kii ds’ onn l inn e actt i v itii es.
4. B e awaa re o f p ackagg es y o ur kii d s recc eive.
5. Encc ourr age kii ds to b e acc tii ve. C hii ldd ren whoo stt ay busy
witt h scc hoo o l , spp orr ts, hoo b b ies ann d coo m m unn i tyy actt i v itii es
a re mucc h l ess l ikelly too drii n k o r u se drr ugs.
6. Tall k o penly a b o ut d rugg s ann d a lcoo h ol.. S et firr m r ules
agg aii nst subb staa ncc e abuse.
7. Donn’t l et them
m smoo ke.. N icootine is a highh l y addd ictt i ve
druu g , a nd kidd s whoo sm
m oke arr e m orr e l ikely t o drr inn k
ann d use o therr druu g s.
8 . S et a goo o d e x a m plee ! C hildrr en o ftt e n d o w h a t t h eirr
parr ents d o . If yoo u usee d r ugs, yoo ur k idd s m a y thinkk
itt ’s O K iff thee y doo , too o.
9 . S toree prr escriptionn d r ugs whee r e kidd s c an’t geet them..
T hrr o w out o ld orr unn usee d m e d i c inn e s. Enn coo urr age yoo urr
frienn d s ann d f a mill y t o d o the saa mee .
They are just as dangerous as street drugs.
• Many teens think prescription medicines are safe because doctors
prescribe them. But these medicines can have the same effects as
illicit drugs.
• Painkillers (such as OxyContin and Vicodin) are in the same class
of narcotic drugs as heroin.
• Many common anti-anxiety drugs (such as Valium and Xanax)
are strong sedatives.
• Like other drugs, prescription medications can lead to dependence
and addiction.
• They can cause severe reactions, including hallucinations, seizures
and heart problems.
• They can cause death in overdose, especially if they’re mixed with
alcohol or other drugs. Kids often mix drugs and alcohol.
First Printing: April 2009
How can I tell if my kids are using?
Learn the signs.
• Teenagers often act a little strange. It’s a normal part of growing up.
• But if kids become too secretive, start lying or stealing, or exhibit
extreme behaviors, it may be a signal that they are using drugs.
• Learn common slang terms for drugs (glossaries are available online).
Zip, zoom and zay are not cartoon characters.
What to do if you suspect a problem.
• Talk with your child and share your concern.
• Be calm. Use a normal tone of voice. Even if you’re angry,
try not to let your emotions take over. Think before you talk.
• Ask direct questions about alcohol and drugs. If you have
evidence, say so.
• Don’t exaggerate the bad effects of drugs. Kids know when
you’re not telling the truth.
• Offer unconditional love and support. Tell your child you love
him or her no matter what.
More Information and Help
• New York City Health Department:
Health Bulletins available through nyc.gov/health or call 311:
• #66 Marijuana—Is It Holding You Back?
• #63 How to Make Your Home Smoke-Free
• #61 Help to Stop Using: Drug Problems Can Be Treated
• #53 Healthy Parenting
• #48 How Much Is Too Much? (Alcohol)
• #46 Still Smoking? Cigarettes Are Eating You Alive
• LifeNet (help with substance abuse or mental health problems):
Call 311 or 800-LifeNet (800-543-3638)
• Spanish LifeNet: 311 or 1-877-AYUDESE (877-298-3373)
• Asian LifeNet (Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean): 311 or 877-990-8585
• Pills Anonymous: www.pillsanonymous.org
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov
• Partnership for a Drug-Free America: www.drugfree.org
• The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign: www.theantidrug.com
• CALL 911 in any medical emergency.
For copies of any Health Bulletin
All Health Bulletins are also available at nyc.gov/health
Visit nyc.gov/health/email for a free e-mail subscription
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# 6 9 i n a s e r i e s o f H e a l t h B u l l e t i n s o n i s s u e s o f p r e s s i n g i n t e r e s t t o a l l N e w Yo r k e r s
New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene
Prepared in cooperation with:
Division of Mental Hygiene
Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment
Is your child abusing
prescription drugs?
For Non-Emergency New York City Services
Telephone Interpretation in More Than 170 Languages
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