MEDICINE CABINET ADDICTION

Parents must talk with their children about all kinds of drugs.

When parents are having "drug talks" with their children, they need
to include legal pharmaceuticals in the warnings.

A national survey on teen use of drugs in 2006 found that while
abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol is on the decline, high school
and middle school misuse of prescription narcotics and
over-the-counter cough and cold medicine is still going strong.

Regular marijuana use among teens has declined for the fifth year in
a row, according to the annual survey conducted by the University of
Michigan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Other drugs on a
decline are methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Unfortunately, the
use of LSD, inhalants, cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, narcotics
other than heroin, tranquilizers and sedatives remained steady.

Where are the teens getting the prescription narcotics such as
OxyContin and Vicodin? Oftentimes it's coming right from the
medicine cabinets of mom and dad or other relatives.

Physicians advise people to dispose of medicine they no longer are
using. Don't keep pain pills just in case you have a killer headache
one day. It's not a sound medical practice, and there's no need to
leave the temptation around for a teen who may decide to try the
pills to see what happens.

This and other studies have shown that government policy has little
effect on drug use. Involved parents, however, can make a difference.

A 14-year-old who may hear from his pals that getting high from
over-the-counter cough syrup is safe needs a reality check from a
parent. These drugs -- as well as household inhalants -- can be
deadly if misused.

Kids don't always exercise the best judgment, and that's just a part
of growing up. Those with parents who show they care, however, can
increase the odds that their children will make it through the teen
years in good heath both mentally and physically.