Pubdate: Thu, 29 Mar 2007
Source: Danvers Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2007 Community Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/danvers/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3608
Author: Bella Travaglini

CHIEF ALERT: DRUG ABUSE CAN START IN THE HOME

Teenagers continue to abuse drugs that are in their own homes or 
easily available at the local drug store, Chief Neil Ouellette said.

Ouellette is attending a five-week Citizens Drug Recognition Academy 
at Danvers High School and wants to bring the valuable information 
he's learned to parents who can't attend.

"The problem is that many youths are obtaining prescription drugs 
from their own medicine cabinets," Ouellette said. "This information 
must get out to parents immediately."

Ouellette warns parents to keep all prescription medicine out of 
reach and to discard unused medicine once it's not needed. Parents 
should ask their physicians to prescribe a minimum number of 
painkillers for ailments, Ouellette said.

"Kids are taking legally, prescribed medicines and using them 
illegally," Ouellette said. "They are bringing these pills to parties 
where they are all thrown into a bowl for recreational use."

Teens are also abusing over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrup, 
Sudafed, ephedrine and pain relievers, Ouellette said.

Parents should have a frank discussion with their children about the 
dangers of drug use, Ouellette said, and always dispense medication 
themselves to their kids.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman