CHIEF ALERT: DRUG ABUSE CAN START IN THE HOME

Teenagers continue to abuse drugs that are in their own homes or
easily available at the local drug store, Chief Neil Ouellette said.

Ouellette is attending a five-week Citizens Drug Recognition Academy
at Danvers High School and wants to bring the valuable information
he's learned to parents who can't attend.

"The problem is that many youths are obtaining prescription drugs
from their own medicine cabinets," Ouellette said. "This information
must get out to parents immediately."

Ouellette warns parents to keep all prescription medicine out of
reach and to discard unused medicine once it's not needed. Parents
should ask their physicians to prescribe a minimum number of
painkillers for ailments, Ouellette said.

"Kids are taking legally, prescribed medicines and using them
illegally," Ouellette said. "They are bringing these pills to parties
where they are all thrown into a bowl for recreational use."

Teens are also abusing over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrup,
Sudafed, ephedrine and pain relievers, Ouellette said.

Parents should have a frank discussion with their children about the
dangers of drug use, Ouellette said, and always dispense medication
themselves to their kids.