Adolescent prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic that leads to over 13,000 emergency room visits per year. It causes risky behaviors, drug dependence, and can lead to the use of other illicit drugs. The document discusses motives for abuse as feeling euphoria and pain relief. Prescription drug abuse in adolescents can result in poor academic achievement, illness, missed school days, and overall poor outcomes. It may also correlate with mental health issues like depression and drug dependence. The document recommends solutions like education programs in middle and high schools along with screening and intervention programs for at-risk adolescents.

1. ADOLESCENT
PRESCRIPTION DRUG
ABUSE
Ogechi Onu

2. BACKGROUND
Prescription drug abuse is a current national
epidemic among adolescents
attributed to 13,000+emergency room visits per
year
causes risky behaviors and drug dependence
can lead to use of other illicit drugs
causes major health disparities, coma, and death

3. MOTIVES
misuse for pain relief
abuse for feeling of euphoria

4. RELEVANCE
Adolescent prescription drug abuse can lead to:
poor academic achievement
severe illness
missed school days
overall poor outcomes

5. MENTAL HEALTH
CORRELATION
Opioid abuse can lead to depression or Major
Depressive Disorders
Opioid abuse can lead to drug dependence

6. RISKY BEHAVIORS
Prescription drug abuse can lead to:
RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
UNDERAGE BINGE DRINKING
VANDALISM
SELF HARM
SUICIDE

7. EMERGENCY ROOM
VISITS
Prescription stimulant abuse causes:
increased visits emergency department
increased drug-seeking
increased multiple drug use

8. SOLUTION
Education for adolescents in middle and high
school
screening adolescents who display at-risk
behaviors or suspicious behaviors
creating intervention programs in the school
setting and health care settings