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Michael Jackson

With Michael Jackson’s untimely death on Thursday, there has been much speculation that his prescription drug use may have played a role. It may turn out, once we learn the cause of death, that this was not the case. It may turn out that the drugs were legally prescribed.

In any event, this is a particularly important time for parents to talk to their children and explain that the abuse of otherwise beneficial medicine is dangerous (only 24 percent of teens report that their parents have discussed the dangers of abusing prescription drugs), and to safeguard unused prescription medicines in their own homes.

Teens abuse prescription drugs because they are easily accessible, and either free or inexpensive – they often get them from the medicine cabinet at home or from friends. In fact, 64 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 who have abused pain relievers say they got them from their friends or relatives, typically without their knowledge.
Parents are in an influential position to immediately help reduce teen access to prescription drugs. Be sure to keep track of how many pills you have in your home and secure your prescriptions the same way you would other valuables in your home, like jewelry or cash. Lastly, dispose of any expired or unused pills to decrease the opportunity for your teens or their friends to abuse your medications.

Rapper Eminem’s latest album chronicles the pain pill addiction that nearly killed him.
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College class

With additional reporting by Jenna Schnuer.

The requests for pills kick in about a week before mid-terms. And again right before finals.
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According to Partnership, 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication. (more…)