O LL U UM M EE VV O 88 ,, NU UM MB B EE RR N 22 Health He lth Bulletin ull tin 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 V O L U M E 8 , N U M B E R 2 Health Bulletin N EE W W YY OO RR KK CC II TT YY DD EE PP AA RR TT M M EE N N TT OO FF HH EE AA LL TT HH AA N N DD M M EE N N TT AA LL HH YY GG II EE N N EE N # 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 DMH643003E – 4.09