PRESCRIPTION OVERDOSES NOT COMMON

Overdoses on prescription medication aren't common, but they are a risk in
a heavily medicated population, says youth drug and alcohol councellor Bob
Hughes.

Hughes works with youths through the Phoenix Centre's Raven Program.
Generally, the drugs he sees children become addicted to are the standard
ones - crystal meth, cocaine, marijuana - but occasionally, there are those
who open up the medicine cabinet and see a candy store.

"We don't see them in the community as being drugs of choice among youths,
except for Ritalin and Dexadrin," he says referring to medication
prescribed for attention deficit disorder.

"For kids it's about experimentation," he says, so many will try whatever
they can get their hands on if they hear it will give them a high. It's a
rare case he'll see a client who has abused Tylenol 3, however.

"It's not necessarily going to be a pleasurable experience. It's usually a
cry out for help."

As far as the gender issue goes, he doesn't see there being a big increase
in young women using drugs compared to young men, though it might seem
otherwise.

Hughes suggests parents be proactive when dealing with the issue of drugs
in the house.

"In terms of Tylenol 3s and muscle relaxants, we're a society that's pretty
doped up," he says, adding it's up to parents to keep an eye on where their
drugs are and who has access to them.

"Recognize what's in your medicine cabinet. It all starts in the home."