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Truth and Consequences: Teen and Young Adult Prescription Drug Abuse in America. Presented by The Montgomery County Health Department. Learning Objectives. Identify the difference between a drug and prescription drug . Define prescription d rug abuse .
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Truth and Consequences: Teen and Young Adult Prescription Drug Abuse in America Presented by The Montgomery County Health Department
Learning Objectives • Identify the difference between a drug and prescription drug. • Define prescription drug abuse. • Identify reasons for prescription drug use and abuse. • Name four consequences of prescription drug abuse. • Identify myth vs. fact about prescription drug abuse
What do you think? Which behavior(s) is considered prescription drug abuse? • Taking a prescription drug that was not prescribed for you • Taking more of a prescription drug than you’re supposed to • Taking a prescription drug for a reason other than you’re supposed to • All of the above • Taking a prescription drug that was not prescribed for you • Taking more of a prescription drug than you’re supposed to • Taking a prescription drug for a reason other than you’re supposed to • All of the above
Drug vs. Prescription Drugs • What is a drug? • “Articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease." • Examples? • What is a prescription drug? • A doctor’s written order that authorizes a pharmacist to supply a specific medication for a patient, with instructions on its use. • Examples?
The Truth… 1 in 3 teens reports knowing someone who abuses prescription (Rx) drugs. Nearly 1 in 5 teens report abusing medications that were not prescribed to them. Every day, 2,500 youth (aged 12-17) abuse a prescription pain reliever for the very first time. *Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2008
The Truth.. In 2006, 2.2 million persons aged 12 and older initiated abuse of pain relievers in the past year. 2,150 2,063 1,112 977 860 845 763 267 264 92 69 (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2008)
The Truth… Top five drugs used by 12th graders in the past year Marijuana remains the only “street” drug whose use exceeds that of Rx drugs. US Dept of Health and Human Services, 2008
What do you think? In 2010, of the top 200 Rx sold, approximately how many prescriptions were sold? • 78,432 • 784,329 • 78.4 million • 784.3 million • 7.8 trillion • 78,432 • 784,329 • 78.4 million • 784.3 million • 7.8 trillion
Doctors have to consider.. Age Weight Severity of your condition Other health conditions Other medications
Prescription Drugs Prescription drugs serve an important purpose under a doctor’s care. Prescriptions should be: • prescribed for you. • by a licensed doctor. • for a current problem. • taken ONLY as directed.
What do you think? About how many Americans (age 12 or older) used psychotherapeutic drug for non-medical purposes in 30 days before survey? • 7,000 • 70,000 • 700,000 • 7 million • 70 million • 7,000 • 70,000 • 700,000 • 7 million • 70 million
What do you think? Are teens a part of this problem? • Yes • No • Yes • No
What do you think? Whydo teens abuse prescription drugs? • To get high • To relieve pain • To improve grades • To “fit in” • All of the above • To get high • To relieve pain • To improve grades • To “fit in” • All of the above
Goal Setting Specific Measurable Action-based Realistic Timely
Drug Abuse & Your Health • Health Consequences: • Neurological • Chemical Addiction • Cardiac Events • Death
What do we know about the human brain? • Communication Center • 3 pound mass of gray and white matter • Made up of 8 main parts • Develops over time
Addiction Overstimulation Euphoric effects Repeated Usage
Side-effects on the Heart • Rapid, irregular heartbeat • Dangerously high body temperature • Cardiovascular failure
The Ultimate Consequence • Prescription drugs cause most of the more than 26,000 fatal overdoses each year.
Celebrity Identification:Who are these celebrities? Anna Nicole Smith Model/Actress 1967-2007 Sedatives and sleep aids Michael Jackson Pop Singer 1959-2009 Sedatives and muscle relaxers Heath Ledger Actor 1979-2008 Pain, anxiety and sleep aids
Biggest Factor • As adolescents pull away from their parents in a search for their own identity, their friends become more important
Want to Make a Real Change? • Think of Changing: • People • Places • Things
What will it cost ME? • Example: SEROQUEL (Brand) • TARGET PHARMACY T-1269 $205.99 10/16/2011
Where does that money come from? • Minimum wage? • $7.25/hour GROSS PAY • What will you “take home”? • 3.06% PA Income Tax • .500 % Local Income Tax • = $6.58/hour NET Pay
Want to go to college? • Conviction= Ineligible for Student Loans
Need Federal Assistance? • 1990 Denial of Federal Benefits Program
Want to rent an apartment or house? • Conviction could mean NO renting, or getting evicted
Want to adopt? • Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
Want a job?? • Standard Job Application
Want to join Armed Forces? • “Disqualifiers: Drug use, alcohol abuse, recent repeated criminal offenses, and any violent sexual criminal convictions will prevent your enlistment.” Source: http://army.com/info/usa/eligibility
Myths Vs. Reality • Myth: Rx drugs are not as harmful as street drugs. • Reality: In 2006, Rx pain meds were involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. • Myth: You can’t get addicted to Rx drugs. • Reality: False, Rx drugs can be extremely addicting to the brain and body.
Myths Vs. Reality • Myth: I can’t be pressured to use by my friends. • Reality: • More than 1/3 of teens say they feel some pressure to abuse prescription drugs • 9%say using prescription drugs to get high is an important part of fitting in with their friends.
Resources for Help • Need immediate help? DIAL 9-1-1 • Looking for support groups? Montgomery County Drug and Alcohol Office 610-278-3642 ProActHotline (24 hours) 1-800-221-6333 Narcotics Anonymous 610-534-9510
What have we learned? • Drugs vs. Rx Drugs • Rx Drug Abuse • Reasons for Rx Drug Use and Abuse • 4 major consequences • Myths vs. Facts
Thank You. For more information on topic please contact: The Montgomery County Health Department (610) 278- 5117