1. ® © 2013 National Safety Council Prevention: Teen Abuse of Prescription Drugs Support for this project was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, under contract number 200-2012-M-52649.

2. © 2013 National Safety Council 2 A Growing Trend Abuse of prescription drugs not prescribed for the teen taking them is a growing trend in the U.S. Many teens believe prescription drugs are not as dangerous as illegal drugs Approximately 1 out of every 5 teens has taken prescription drugs not prescribed for them

3. © 2013 National Safety Council 3 A Growing Trend This trend spans across geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic populations When medicines are used for anything other then their intended and approved purpose, they can be just as dangerous as illegal street drugs

4. © 2013 National Safety Council 4 Reasons for use Manage and regulate their lives Increase energy Increase ability to focus Cope with academic, social or emotional stress Lose weight or “bulk up”

5. © 2013 National Safety Council 5 Risks Addiction Overdose Exhaustion and/or confusion Abnormal heart rhythms Psychosis- with addiction or withdrawal Prevent learning of healthy coping skills

6. © 2013 National Safety Council 6 Study Drugs Stimulant medications or amphetamines typically prescribed for treatment of ADHD Students without ADHD take these drugs to stay awake or improve test scores Parents’ awareness does not match self-reported use by teens (UM, 2013)

7. © 2013 National Safety Council 7 Prescription Pain Medications Opioids prescribed to relieve pain Includes Vicodin, Percocet, Morphine Long-term use can lead to addiction Should not be taken with other substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines

8. © 2013 National Safety Council 8 Anti-Anxiety Drugs Benzodiazepines are CNS depressants, also known as sedatives or tranquilizers Typically prescribed to treat anxiety or sleep disorders & panic attacks Includes Valium and Xanax Long-term use can lead to addiction

9. © 2013 National Safety Council 9 Prevention Begin efforts early in life By age 9, children have opinions about substance use Parents should stay connected with their children, share information and encourage healthy behaviors Positive self-esteem, a supportive family, and positive role models help

10. © 2013 National Safety Council 10 Additional Resources www.cdc.gov www.drugabuse.gov www.nsc.org www.umich.edu/research.php http://medicineabuseproject.org Support for this project was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, under contract number 200-2012-M-52649.

11. © 2013 National Safety Council 11 Who is NSC? Our Mission: The National Safety Council saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.