Dangers Of Prescription Drugs In Youth

Drug overdose from medications designed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are on the rise. This is likely due to an overwhelming amount of children, nearly 3 million, prescribed medication for ADHD each year (Spiller, Hays, & Aleguas, 2013). ADHD affects nearly 10% of the national population and is rising due to newer diagnostic criteria (Levine, et al., 2013). In the past, ADHD was only diagnosed in school aged children, but new studies suggest that diagnosis can be made in the preschool age as well (Levine, et al., 2013). Because of the new age criteria affecting more young children, the number of prescription of ADHD drugs will rise each year which will increase the amount of ADHD prescription overdose (Adis, 2014).

Years ago, the common image of an adolescent drug abuser was a teen trying to escape from reality on illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana. Today, there is a great discrepancy between that perception and the reality of who is likely to abuse drugs. A teenage drug abuser might not have to look any further than his or her parent’s medicine chest to ‘score.’ Prescription drug abuse by teens is on the rise. Also, teens are looking to prescription drugs to fulfill different needs other than to feel good or escape the pressures of adulthood. Teens may be just as likely to resort to drugs with ‘speedy’ side effects, like Ritalin to help them study longer, as they are to use prescription

Antidepressant drugs taken by children have been linked to increased risk of suicide. Exasperated mental health professionals began prescribing antidepressants to children and teens in large proportions in the 1990’s, even though studied safety of such drugs for use in minors had not been conducted. Consequently, standard growth models and brain development may be impaired by the use of these drugs. Moreover, children may be risking one evil for another as adult years could prove to hold adverse side effects and health risks from prolonged use of these drugs.

Prescription drug abuse is a problem that is not just focused on adults. There has been a substantial rise in prescription drug abuse among teenagers. Teens are abusing prescription drugs for a number of reasons, including to get high, pain treatment, and/or because they think that it will assist them with school work (Coalition against Drug Abuse, 2014). However boys and girls tend to abuse some types of prescription drugs for different reasons. For example, boys are more likely to abuse prescription stimulants to get high, where girls would abuse them to stay alert to study or for weight loss.

The article, Prescription Drug Abuse: An Epidemic Dilemma, explains the significant increase in prescription drugs among youths, and drug-impaired driving. The research was conducted by Robert L. DuPont (it was published in 2010); his research produces useful knowledge since raises awareness of prescription drug abuse. Although the research article displays strengths, it also displays weaknesses.

The authors of this specific article states in the very beginning that government agencies have issued warnings about the use of antidepressant medications in children, adolescents, and young adults since 2003. They explain that the warnings consist of statements that warn that such medications may cause suicidal tendencies in some people. The article’s authors explore the data on the treatment of depression that led to these warnings, and, also, the subsequent data that are relevant to the warnings. The authors also address the effectiveness

According to the recent Monitoring the Future study, which is the largest survey of drug use among young people. Prescription drugs are the second most widely abused drugs besides marijuana. The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 70 percent of people abusing prescription drugs got them from friends or relatives. 5 percent of those got the drugs from a drug dealer or from over the Internet. The CDC reports that drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death. 60% of those were caused by prescription drug overdose. Pain relievers, tranquilizers, and stimulants are the most abused of these substances. These drugs are fairly easy for people to get. Many people will go to multiple doctors and after hour clinics to get these drugs. A lot of them go to pill mills, which are run by cash. All you do is walk in, pay the money and the doctor will write you a prescription for the pills you want. So this leaves people that are going to multiple doctors doing this with pills not only for themselves, but enough for them to sell on the streets.

Recreational use of prescription drugs amongst high school teens has been a continuous discussion within the public health community due to its severity. High school teens that involve themselves with prescription drugs abuse are susceptible to both short-term effects and long-term effects. According to the article, Opioids Complications and Side Effects, “Common side effects of opioid administration include sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression” (Benyamin et al. 2008). Because a medical professional prescribes prescriptions drugs, many teens think it is okay to consume the medication (cite, here). The teens that partake in this dangerous activity do not understand that

Imagine living in a world of pain, your mind is a dark, scary, and dangerous place. One scribbled note from the doctor changes everything. It can bring sweet relief, the lifting of the dark fog, or a sense of being in control again. But for some, it can spark a journey into an even darker, scarier territory. Should antidepressant drugs be prescribed for children suffering from depression? Today, kids everywhere suffer from depression. It affects everyone ages 3-18, boys and girls, no matter what race. There has been controversy whether or not children and teens should be prescribed antidepressants, although taking antidepressants makes depression worse for some people, antidepressants trigger suicidal thoughts, and the children should

People with any kind of illness use medications to help reduce a symptom which ultimately makes life easier for them, but if prescription medications are used out of control it could lead to negative health issues. In reference to The Medicine Abuse Project, a mother shared a story of her deceased son’s battle with prescription medications addiction. When the son was asked why he took these drugs he responded with, “All you think about is feeling that way again – only it is physically and chemically impossible.” (My Son Died From Accidental Prescription Drug Overdose). When young kids do drugs, since the brain is not as developed as adults, it is more likely to create a negative effect like addiction. The son explained that the reason he did stronger drugs was so he could feel the same high he experienced his first time doing this. Since the body gets adjusted to the medications consumed,

Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescription drugs in the incorrect manner, whether it’s taking a larger dose, taking someone else’s drugs, injecting or snorting them, or simply using them to get high. The three types of drugs that are most abused are opioid painkillers, sedatives or anti-anxiety medication and simulants. Opioids are the most commonly used simply because they are easy to obtain. One of the seven deadly sins is pleasure without conscience. The abuse of prescription drugs is a direct reflection of this teaching. People destroy their bodies, life and relationships around them. Too many people are dying and abusing prescription drugs each year; creating informative programs in and out of school

Various types of drugs introduce complications in the world today, but prescription drug abuse provides one of the largest issues. The use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited pertains to the meaning of prescription drug abuse. According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illegal drug users. The consequences of this abuse have consistently worsened, reflected in increased treatment, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths. The classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused consist of: opioid pain relievers,

Doesn’t matter what age, drugs are going to be used and abuse. From the time we are born, till the day we die, prescription drugs are prescribed for doctor approved use. Most prescription drugs are given to help control a disease, an imbalance, sickness, etc. With teenage drug abuse on the rise in most US high schools, it has become a problem parents are facing amongst their children. Being a parent to a teenager who has meddled with prescription drugs has been an unbelievable eye opener. Teens know who they get these drugs from; fellow students, friends, their parents cabinets, etc. Educating parents and discussing the risks with teens about the effects prescription drugs can cause is important to helping

Many teens at home have access to prescription drugs and abuse them. As it says in the article (Ready access to prescription drugs at home leads to many teens to abuse them). They can easily get the drugs from their own medicine cabinet at home or even at a friend’s house. Even prescription drugs a teen is prescribed to can be dangerous if they overdose. Never abuse prescription drugs as even that is very dangerous.

Even though people need their prescriptions, the abuse of them is getting out of control and we need to find a way to regulate it better,because it can destroy a family, cause some to become addicted, or even kill them. Prescription drugs are no joke, they can be worse than illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and even heroin. The only difference is a doctor can prescribe these types of drugs. The problem we run into with prescription drugs is there is not enough being done to keep the person from becoming addicted or them selling to others. In 2007 2.5 million Americans abused just painkillers (Drug free world). That is not even including the other two types. Now it is starting to affect teens, one out of every ten teenagers admit to abusing a prescribed drug(Drug-free world).