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Information for Pre-Teens & Teens
Did you know in 2008, more intentional poisonings occurred in the 13-19 age range than any other age group? Nearly 20% of calls to Carolinas Poison Center concerning intentional misuse or abuse of drugs involved teens 13-19. Today, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug abuse is becoming more of a concern than street drug use. Many teens do not see the misuse of OTC and prescription drugs as a threat to their health.
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy:
- Four out of 10 teens think that presciption medicines are safer to abuse than illicit drugs.
- Nearly 1/3 of teens believe there's "nothing wrong" with using prescription medicines without a prescription once in a while.
- Nearly three out of 10 teens believe prescription painkillers aren't addictive.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs include:
| Painkillers |
prescribed to relieve pain |
also known as: opioids, narcotics, prescription pain relievers |
Vicodin, OxyContin |
| Depressants |
slow normal brain function |
examples: sedatives, tranquilizers, barbiturates |
Valium, Xanax |
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Stimulants
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increase alertness, attention, and energy
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example: amphetamines |
Ritalin |
Several factors contribute to the danger of abusing OTC and prescription drugs. The amount of a substance taken can determine if it becomes toxic. This means products like OTC and prescription drugs can be harmful, even deadly, if they are used in the wrong amount or wrong way. Plus, if you are taking other medicines or abusing other substances, there can be a dangerous or deadly interaction.
Click on this link to hear real stories about drug abuse, to learn facts about getting high, and to play interactive games. http://teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php
Click here to link to our Substances of Abuse contents page.
Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant abuse occurs when people sniff chemical vapors present in everyday household products, like glue or aerosol cans. Sniffing directly from an open container or huffing from a rag soaked in the substance are common methods of inhalant abuse.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health connects early inhalant use with troubled behaviors, substance abuse, and other problems later in life. Research shows that inhalant use is also associated with symptoms of depression. Between 2004 and 2006, an estimated 218,000 youths aged 12-17 who used inhalants also experienced depression in the previous year.
Click here to link to our inhalants page.
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