4 STEPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE FROM RX DRUGS
by Diane Schoening
December 02, 2008
4 STEPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE FROM RX DRUGS
JANE STUEVE, RN, BSN
ADOLESCENT AND SCHOOL HEALTH CONSULTANT
KDHE
The White house Office of National Drug Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign has some valuable guidance on how you can play a part in stopping the potentially deadly trend of prescription drug abuse by youth.
• Safeguard all drugs at home. Track how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet, track refills and be wary if you find yourself refilling a medication more often than expected. If your teen has been prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication and monitor the dosages and refills.
• Set clear rules for your kids about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the provider’s advice and dosages. Make sure your teen uses prescription drugs only as directed by a medical provider and follows instructions for over-the-counter (OTC) products carefully. This includes not using with other substances without medical provider’s approval. Teens should never take prescription or OTC drugs with street drugs or alcohol. If you have any questions about how to take a drug, call your family physician or pharmacist.
• Follow your own rules. That way, you set a good example. If you misuse or abuse your prescription drugs, your teen will take notice.
• Dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash. Unused prescription drugs can be mixed with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, put in an empty can or bag and thrown away in the trash. Remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you throw them away. And don’t flush medications down the toilet or drain, because the chemicals can pollute the water supply.
Reprinted with permission
