PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ABUSED JUST AS MUCH AS OTHER DRUGS

Do you have prescription drugs in your home? Do you have a child/teenager
in your home? Could it be possible that your child/teenager is abusing your
prescription drug?

If you think it is not possible, think again.

The New Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction Research Report explains
that approximately 4 million people ages 12 and older misused prescription
drugs in 1999. These people typically used prescription drugs such as
sedatives, stimulants, tranquilizers, painkillers and opioids for
non-medical purposes.

Prescription drug abuse occurs when a person illegally obtains a legal
prescription drug for non-medical use.

Students are obtaining these drugs in a variety of ways including: parents,
grandparents, classmates and even by "doctor shopping" in which the person
continually switches physicians so they can obtain more drugs. Some of
these drugs could also be obtained legally, but used for only a "high."
According to information given by local high school students, obtaining and
selling prescription drugs is easy.

Students were asked the question: "How many of you would know where to
obtain prescription drugs that were not yours?" One-hundred percent of
students in the classroom raised their hand.

The most important point that we must stress to our children is the serious
and dangerous consequences of prescription drug abuse. Abusing any
prescription drug is dangerous. Severe respiratory depression, decreased or
increased blood pressure, decreased or increased brain activity, seizures,
cardiovascular failure, and even death may result.

The consequences of the law are severe. Possession of a controlled
substance is a Class D Felony for first offense, and Class C Felony for
each subsequent offense. Selling a controlled substance to a minor is a
Class C Felony for first offense, and Class B Felony for each subsequent
offense. In addition, each offense will add jail time from one to 20 years.

Even though there are systems and tools used by doctors and pharmacists to
prevent prescription drug abuse, people are still abusing. As parents, it
is our responsibility to keep our children safe. Keep a close eye on all of
your prescription drugs. Please talk to your child about the dangers of
prescription drug abuse. Remember, parents are the most effective anti-drug.

Heather S. Barnes

Communications Coordinator

Campbellsville/Taylor County

Anti-Drug Coalition

Campbellsville