Pubdate: Tue, 26 Dec 2006
Source: Leaf-Chronicle, The (US TN)
Copyright: 2006, The Leaf-Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1601

MEDICINE CABINET ADDICTION

Parents must talk with their children about all kinds  of drugs.

When parents are having "drug talks" with their  children, they need 
to include legal pharmaceuticals in  the warnings.

A national survey on teen use of drugs in 2006 found  that while 
abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol is on the  decline, high school 
and middle school misuse of  prescription narcotics and 
over-the-counter cough and  cold medicine is still going strong.

Regular marijuana use among teens has declined for the  fifth year in 
a row, according to the annual survey  conducted by the University of 
Michigan for the  National Institute on Drug Abuse. Other drugs on a 
decline are methamphetamine and crack cocaine.  Unfortunately, the 
use of LSD, inhalants, cocaine,  crystal meth, heroin, narcotics 
other than heroin,  tranquilizers and sedatives remained steady.

Where are the teens getting the prescription narcotics  such as 
OxyContin and Vicodin? Oftentimes it's coming  right from the 
medicine cabinets of mom and dad or  other relatives.

Physicians advise people to dispose of medicine they no  longer are 
using. Don't keep pain pills just in case  you have a killer headache 
one day. It's not a sound  medical practice, and there's no need to 
leave the  temptation around for a teen who may decide to try the 
pills to see what happens.

This and other studies have shown that government  policy has little 
effect on drug use. Involved parents,  however, can make a difference.

A 14-year-old who may hear from his pals that getting  high from 
over-the-counter cough syrup is safe needs a  reality check from a 
parent. These drugs -- as well as  household inhalants -- can be 
deadly if misused.

Kids don't always exercise the best judgment, and  that's just a part 
of growing up. Those with parents  who show they care, however, can 
increase the odds that  their children will make it through the teen 
years in  good heath both mentally and physically.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman