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Many folks remember a day when kids traded and bartered baseball cards or stickers at school. However, today there is an alarming trend, both nationally and locally, among kids, which involves the sharing and using of prescription drugs. KSMU’s Theresa Carter spoke with local experts about how the fact that these drugs are so easy to get a hold of is a big part of the problem.
For many Americans, some form of prescription medication may be sitting in the medicine cabinet at any given time. Yet, most of us may not recognize the potential hazard this creates. More and more youth are reported to be using or abusing common prescription medications which are usually found in their own homes, as well as those of other family members or friends.
Melissa Haddow, the executive director of Community Partnership of the Ozarks, has been working with local youth, parents, and schools in an effort to bring awareness to this problem.
"So many kids this age have their wisdom teeth removed, or sustain a sports injury, and are prescribed medications for the pain. They only take a few of them use some of the medications and then what is left has market value. These left overs are then sold or given to friends."
It’s due to this easy access and mass availability that teens and pre-teens are trading prescriptions among themselves. Haddow says that it’s currently estimated that as many as 1 in 5 teens have misused or abused prescription drugs nationwide. She adds that local teens tell her the number is actually much greater.
"Next to majiuana, the most common drug kids are using to get high are prescription medications."
Haddow says that educating parents is critical because prescription drugs may not be on their radar screen. She says, that what is even more frightening is that youth do not typically feel that prescription drugs are bad or dangerous. Haddow explains:
"Most kids will tell you when asked that cocaine is dangerous, meth is harmful, acid is harmful. But they don't think of prescription drugs as harmful. This is because prescription drugs are legal when used properly."
Local agencies like the Community Partnership of the Ozarks are collaborating with local pharmacists to provide information, as well as ways to dispose of unused or expired medications. Experts say that one of the best ways to help prevent abuse is to limit access and availability. They also say that education and awareness are critical in order to combat this ever growing problem. For KSMU news, I’m Theresa Carter.
You can learn more by going to the website for Community Partnership of the Ozarks:
or by calling (417) 888-2020.
