Drug Abuse
Every day, more than 2000 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. Accessing these drugs can be as easy as opening a cupboard, drawer or medicine cabinet. The good news is there are steps you can take to help protect your kids from prescription drug abuse.

• Talk to your teen and warn them that taking prescription medications without a doctor's supervision can be just as dangerous and as potentially lethal as taking illicit drugs. 
• For example, pain killers are made from opioids, the same substance in heroin.
• Keep medications hidden in your home-and out of easily accessible places like the medicine cabinet.
• Ask your healthcare provider if any medications prescribed for your family have a potential for abuse.
• Take inventory of Rx and OTC medications in your home. Pay attention to quantities.

If your child needs medications for an illness or after surgery, speak to your healthcare provider about the potential for abuse of the medications prescribed. Keep the medications out of reach and control the doses given to your child. Make sure unused medications are disposed of properly.