Tips for Parents about children and drugs
Educate Yourself:

·         Educate yourself about medications that kids are abusing, and share this information with others who are in contact with your children – school administrators, coaches, counselors, etc.

Communicate With Your Kids:

·         Discuss the subject with your teenagers. See what your kids know about peers using medications without doctors’ orders.

·          Preliminary research shows teens believe experimenting with medications are safer than street drugs. Abuse of medications can be lethal. Set clear expectations with your teenagers, letting them know that under no circumstances should they ever take medications without your knowledge.

Safeguard Medications at Home and Other Places:

·         Ask your healthcare provider if any medications prescribed for your family have a potential for abuse. 

·         Take an inventory of Rx and OTC medications in your home. Pay attention to quantities.

·         Keep medications out of reach – and out of easily accessible places like the medicine cabinet.

·         If your child needs medications during school hours, speak with school officials about policies for distributing medications to students. If possible, personally take the medications to the school nurse. Make sure unused medications are returned to you.

Visit http://www.drugfree.org for further information