This document provides information from various presentations on preventing prescription drug abuse. It discusses how teens view prescription drugs as normal and how they may abuse them. Statistics show that prescription drugs are commonly abused by teens after marijuana. The document outlines the physical dangers of abusing prescription drugs and provides tips for parents on how to safely store and dispose of unused prescription medications to prevent teen access and abuse. It emphasizes the importance of parents communicating with teens about the risks of prescription drug abuse.

1. Preventing Rx Abuse in Your Community

2. The following PowerPoint slides were obtained from presentations on Rx
abuse prevention from the National Association of Drug Diversion
Investigators (NADDI), the National Council on Patient Information and
Education (NCPIE) and CADCA. Coalitions should feel free to adapt these
slides into their education and outreach activities. Here’s what you’ll find:
About this presentation
1. The Teen – Rx Abuse Connection
2. Facts & Stats
3. Teen & Adult Attitudes About Rx Abuse
4. Outreach to Teens, Parents, Families & Community
5. Want to Learn More?
We have placed relevant source information in the notes section of each slide
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

3. Rx Medications are All Around Us…and Teens Notice
The Teen – Rx Abuse Connection
§ Patients leave the doctor’s office with a
prescription in hand in 7 out of 10 visits.
§ Direct-to-consumer advertising on TV and in
magazines is pervasive.
§ Many people don’t know how to safely use these
medications or ignore their doctor’s instructions.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

5. Rx drugs are part of teen culture. Teens:
As a result…
§ Normalize this form of drug abuse.
§ Take these meds for legitimate reasons – with or
without a prescription – to stay awake, remain
alert or to go to sleep.
§ Purposely abuse these drugs to get high. They
participate in “pharming” and “bowling” parties.
§ Are often unaware that these activities can lead to
disastrous results.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

6. that abusing Rx drugs can:
Teenagers don’t know
§ Increase blood pressure or heart rate.
§ Damage the brain and other organs.
§ Lead to accidental overdose / poisonings.
§ Cause physical dependency and / or addiction.
§ Disrupt breathing (respiratory depression).
§ Lead to risks associated with mixing multiple drugs
or combining with alcohol.
§ Cause seizures and even death.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

7. Facts & Stats
While Rx drugs serve an important
purpose when used under a doctor’s
care, the misuse of Rx drugs is a
growing, under-recognized problem
that puts young lives at risk.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

8. America constitutes 5% of the worlds population and
we use 80% of the opioid supply
Manchikanti L, Singh A. Therapeutic Opioids: A Ten-Year Perspective on the Complexities and Complications of the Escalating Use, Abuse, and
Nonmedical Use of Opioids. Pain Physician. 2008; 11. S63-S88.

9. Did you know?
§ Next to marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens
are abusing are prescription medications.
§ Twenty percent of U.S. high school students say they have
taken Rx drugs without consulting a doctor.
§ 1 in 5 teens has abused Rx drugs.
§ 1 in 3 teens say there is “nothing wrong” with abusing Rx
medications “every once in a while.”
§ Every day, almost 2,500 teens abuse an Rx medication for
the first time.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

10. Teens’ Rx Drugs of Choice For Abuse
How they work Abused by teens to: Drug names
Strong pain
relievers
Used to relieve moderate-
to-severe pain, these
medications block pain
signals to the brain
Get high, increase feelings
of well being by affecting
the brain regions that
mediate pleasure
Vicodin, OxyContin,
Percocet, Lorcet,
Lortab, Actiq, Darvon,
codeine, morphine,
methadone
Stimulants Primarily used to treat
ADHD type symptoms,
these speed up brain
activity causing increased
alertness, attention, and
energy that comes with
elevated blood pressure,
increased heart rate and
breathing
Feel alert, focused and full
of energy—perhaps around
final exams or to manage
coursework, lose weight
Adderall, Dexedrine,
Ritalin, Concerta
Sedatives or
tranquilizers
Used to slow down or
“depress” the functions of
the brain and central
nervous system pressure,
increased heart rate and
breathing
Feel calm, reduce stress,
sleep
Valium, Xanax, Ativan,
Klonopin, Restoril,
Ambien, Lunesta,
Mebaral, Nembutal,
Soma
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

11. RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action
Rx Access Points—
Friends & Family Source of Concern
SAMHSA. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings
(Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series: H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD.
Available at: www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

19. More Recent
• In 2010 New Mexico lead the nation in
prescription drug overdoses (rate = 29 per
100,000)
• Taos County
– 2010 - 3 Drug related deaths
– 2011- 12 Drug related deaths, 1 waiting tox
– 2012 – 5 Drug related deaths, 4 waiting tox ¼
of OMI cases are drug related deaths.

20. attitudes about Rx abuse
Teens & Adult
MIXING OVER-THE-COUNTER COLD MEDICATION and
someone else's prescription painkillers CAUSED THE DEATH
OF MY SON…I could get my hands on prescription medicines
AS FAST AS I COULD BUY A PIZZA…the problem IS AS
CLOSE AS YOUR MEDICINE CABINET…PART OF ME DIED
THAT DAY when my daughter was taken away on a gurney…
TEEN RX ABUSE is more than an emerging problem.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

21. Teens say that…
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action
Agree strongly/somewhat %
Rx drugs, even if they are not prescribed by a
doctor, are much safer to use than illegal drugs. 40%
There is nothing wrong with using Rx drugs without
a doctor’s prescription once in a while. 31%
Rx pain relievers, even if they are not prescribed
by a doctor, are not addictive.
29%

22. beliefs & attitudes
Parental / Guardian
§ Many parents aren’t aware of the dangers of Rx abuse – it’s
just not on their radar screen.
§ Rx medicines can be found in homes of family or friends, and
parents don’t realize the connection between teen Rx abuse
and easy availability.
§ Many parents do not know how to effectively talk with their
teens about Rx drug abuse.
§ They often find out about an Rx problem when it is too late.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

23. Watch for Physical Warning Signs
§ Excessive sweating, urination or thirst
§ Nausea and vomiting
§ Uncontrollable diarrhea
§ Spastic shaking
§ Drowsiness, dizziness and insomnia
§ Loss of consciousness
§ Physical dependence
§ Addiction
EDUCATE
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

24. Watch for Physical Warning Signs
§ Sudden mood changes, including irritability, negative
attitude, personality change.
§ Extreme changes in groups of friends or hangout locations.
§ Lying or being deceitful, unaccounted time away from home/
missed school days, avoiding eye contact.
§ Losing interest in personal appearance, extracurricular
activities or sports.
§ Poor performance at school.
§ Borrowing money or having extra cash.
§ Visiting and even purchasing from pro-drug abuse (illegal)
web sites.
EDUCATE
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

25. COMMUNICATE
Talk to teens about Rx abuse
§ Teens learn by example. When they see mom, dad, a sibling
or grandparent taking a pill – even responsibly – it doesn’t
seem so bad.
§ Many teens report that their parents have the greatest
influence on their drug use attitudes and decisions.
§ Kids who continue to learn about the risks of drugs at home
are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who are not
taught about these dangers.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

26. COMMUNICATE
Talking to teens
“DENORMALIZE” THE BEHAVIOR While 1 in 5 teens are abusing Rx drugs, 4 in 5 are not.
DEBUNK COMMON MYTHS: Rx abuse is just as dangerous as abusing other substances; it
can be addictive; and it’s not OK to misuse these drugs even “once in a while.”
PROVIDE CLEAR GUIDELINES If you’re a parent, let teens know you will be disappointed if
they abuse Rx medications and watch how you use medicines in front of teens.
GIVE TEENS ESCAPE ROUTES Teach them how to get out of bad situations; and suggest
responses they can use so they don’t feel “uncool.”
§ “No, thanks – not into it.”
§ “Not today.”
§ “I’m not interested.”
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

27. SAFEGUARD
Keep track of your meds
Parents (and other family members) are in the best position to reduce access
to prescription drugs by locking up medicines and properly disposing of expired
or unused medicines.
§ Monitor all medications in the home—prescription and OTC medicines.
§ Safely store medicines out of children’s reach and sight.
Consider locking them up.
§ Get rid of old or unused medicines.
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

29. Guidelines for Rx drug disposal
FEDERAL GUIDELINES
§ Refer to October 15, 2009 FDA Guidelines for Disposal by Flushing.
§ Do not flush down toilet or drain unless label or accompanying patient information
specifically instructs you to do so.
§ Dispose of Rx drugs not labeled to be flushed through community drug take-back
programs. If a program is not available, dispose of medications appropriately:
1. Take medication out of its original packaging and place it into a disposable
container with a lid or into a sealable bag.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance (e.g., cat litter or used coffee
grounds).
3. Place sealed container with the mixture and original packaging (be sure to
remove all personal information from the packaging) in the trash.
SAFEGUARD
Office of National Drug Control Policy. Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs. 2009.
Available at: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

30. SAFEGUARD
Rx drug disposal
Taos County Disposal
§ Drop Box Taos Police Department
§ DEA Take Back
NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

31. Guidelines for Rx drug disposal
FEDERAL GUIDELINES
§ Refer to October 15, 2009 FDA Guidelines for Disposal by Flushing.
§ Do not flush down toilet or drain unless label or accompanying patient information
specifically instructs you to do so.
§ Dispose of Rx drugs not labeled to be flushed through community drug take-back
programs. If a program is not available, dispose of medications appropriately:
1. Take medication out of its original packaging and place it into a disposable
container with a lid or into a sealable bag.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance (e.g., cat litter or used coffee
grounds).
3. Place sealed container with the mixture and original packaging (be sure to
remove all personal information from the packaging) in the trash.
SAFEGUARD
Office of National Drug Control Policy. Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs. 2009.
Available at: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

32. What we are doing
Taos Alive Rx Initiative Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:00 at Holy Cross
Hospital
DOH / Narcan Piolot Program Meets monthly see Taos Alive website for meeting dates and
times. www.taosalive.org
Presentations Senior Citizen Centers, Schools, Community Groups, Youth Groups
Collaboration Taos Alive brings the community together to reduce substance abuse.
Media Radio, Newspaper, Flyers, Brochures
Health Care Initiatives Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, Pain contracts, Use of PMP and
working with local pharmacies and medical practitioners
Disposal Coordinate with local law enforcement to hold take back days, purchase
permanent drop box located at Taos Police Department
Secure Medication Taos Alive purchased lock boxes to give away at take back, senior
centers and other presentations.
Creating a Recovery Friendly Community Collaborate with other agencies to host a
community summit.

33. Want to learn more?
ABOVE THE INFLUENCE http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugs-prescription-otc.aspx#
COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS OF AMERICA www.cadca.org
THE DRUG TAKE-BACK NETWORK http://www.takebacknetwork.com/
NATIONAL CONCIL ON PATIENT INFORMATION AND EDUCATION www.talkaboutrx.org
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DRUG DIVERSION INVESTIGATORS www.naddi.org
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/prescription.html
PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE AMERICA www.drugfree.org
WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY,
EFFORTS TO REDUCE PRESCRITION DRUG ABUSE
http://ofsubstance.gov/blogs/pushing_back/archive/2010/07/06/51426.aspx
RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action