1 in 5 teens will have abused prescription drugs by the time they graduate high school. Some of those kids may become addicted and some may die from overdose.

Many people harbor the misconception that because prescription drugs are given to us by doctors, and cough and cold medicines are available at your local drug store that they are inherently safe.

But this is not true.

When used to get high, or without the supervision of a physician, prescription drugs and cold and cough medicine are every bit as dangerous as illegal drugs. Learning this lesson has cost too many people their lives. We need to change the public’s perception about the danger of misusing medications. We need to do it now, and we need your help. Learn how you can protect kids from prescription drug abuse.

You should know that…

• 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription drug – that’s 4.5 million kids.
• 1 in 10 teens has abused an over-the-counter cough or cold remedy.
• And more individuals are dying each year from prescription drug overdoses than from heroin and cocaine combined.

Think it’s time something is done about this problem? We agree, and you can help!

More than half of the teens who tried medication without a prescription believe it is safer than street drugs, and there is nothing wrong with taking them once in a while. And more than half of teens who reported abusing prescription medications said they got the medications in their own home, from a parent, relative, or from a friend. Visit this website and learn the three simple steps you can take to help keep kids safe in your home.

Every day, almost 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. Only one-third of teens report learning about the risks of abusing prescription medicines from their parents. Yet, kids who learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs.

The good news – there are steps you can take to help protect your kids from prescription drug abuse: monitor, secure, and dispose. Be a part of the solution. Visit www.NotInMyHouse.com.

P.S. Your house is not the only place that kids can gain access to prescription medicine. Take the time to forward this message to your kids’ grandparents, as well as other homes where your kids may have access to prescription medication and ask them to be a part of the solution too!

Information provided by:
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Working with parents to prevent and get help for teen drug and alcohol abuse.