Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens

Approximately 50 people attended the Scarsdale Drug and Alcohol Task Force presentation, Parents: Today’s Unsuspecting Drug Dealers, held at the Scarsdale library on Tuesday night 2/8 to learn more about teens and drug abuse. According to Mary C. Korman from the Westchester District Attorney's Office, reports of prescription drug abuse among Westchester teens and college students has increased dramatically in the past several years,

For some background on this widespread issue, here are some national statistics:

• Every day, 2,500 teens ages 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the first time
• Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit drug, except marijuana
• In 2008 more that 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs
• Among 12 and 13 year-old, prescription drugs are the drugs of choice
• Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, teens who wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs.
• Few parents are talking to teens about prescription drug abuse, even though teens report that parental disapproval is a powerful way to keep them away from drugs. *

According to Korman, abuse of Adderall and Ritalin as study drugs is on the rise and far more common than many parents may realize. If your child uses these medications for ADHD or another disorder, expect him or her to be asked to sell their meds at some point. Prepare your child for this situation by having conversations about the need for a medical evaluation and possible dangers of casual use such heart attack, stroke, hallucinations and paranoia.  According to Korman, on college campuses, the use of study drugs is “rampant”. Reports of teens and older students abusing anti-anxiety medications are also on the increase.

She also discussed reported abuse of painkillers (oxycodone), sleep aids (such as Ambien and others), cough medicines, diet pills and inhalants including household products that emit fumes.   


Andrea Fallick, from the Student Assistance Services Corp., was also on hand and spoke about what parents can do to keep their kids safe. She told the audience to appreciate that our children’s’ lives might be far more complicated than we think, and that pressure to succeed can become overwhelming for some students. The temptation to use prescription drugs from peers and the media is very present, and because these substances aren’t illegal, some kids rationalize their use and experiment with pharmaceuticals.


Fallick advised parents to have regular conversations about the topic, and be mindful of what’s in the medicine cabinet as reports of missing medications are all too common. Over prescribing by some physicians and the ease of internet purchasing can lead to the accumulation of old prescriptions, like pain killers from a prior dental procedure.  She urged the audience to get rid of these drugs. To avoid flushing pills down the toilet and risking pharmaceutical pollution in our water, many Westchester pharmacies will take back unused drugs. 


*Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009