Who Uses Over the Counter Drugs
© 2007 by OTCdrugtips.com - All Rights Reserved
Who Uses Over-the-Counter Drugs?, Part 2
Because OTC drugs are not illegal, at least not yet, teenagers view them less
seriously than their more famous counterparts. They see commercials for them
every day, and have probably already taken them to relieve pain or cold
symptoms. Taking the extra step and ingesting larger amounts of those same
drugs doesn't seem like such a big deal. The pill or syrup forms of OTC drugs
are also more familiar to teenagers and, in safe amounts, are condoned by
their parents. Additionally, while some people might be squeamish of injecting
a drug, using a syringe, or snorting a powder, taking a pill or swallowing syrup
seems safe and easy.
A Parent's Guide to Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse, published by the
Partnership for a Drug-Free America, suggests these steps for parents who
want to communicate with teens about OTC drugs:
• Be clear that you do not want your teen taking medicine without your
knowledge.
• Teach your teens and younger children to respect medicines. Medicines
are important tools in healthcare, but they must be used according to
directions.
• Make sure your teen understands that abusing cough medicine—just as
abusing illegal drugs—can be very dangerous.
The relative novelty of OTC drug abuse and the more widespread abuse of
other, illegal drugs means that the average person has little knowledge of it;
some people are not even aware that there is a problem at all. Because of this,
teenagers may not be knowledgeable about the consequences of their abuse.
School health classes often don't include OTC drugs in their discussions of
abuse of other, more common drugs like marijuana, nor have there been
commercials on TV warning against OTC drug abuse. If parents have never
heard of OTC drug abuse, they can't warn their children about its dangers.
Without being exposed to information regarding the dangers of drugs like DXM,
users may not be aware of how risky those drugs truly are.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America conducted a survey in 2005 to
gather data concerning OTC drug abuse. Among other things, the study
concluded:
• Ten percent of all high school students had abused cough medicine.
• Fifty-five percent of teenagers don't think that getting high off cough
medicine is risky.
• Only one-third of parents have discussed OTC drug abuse with their
children.
• The Internet is the main source of information on OTC drug use.
======================================================
Because OTC drugs are not illegal, at least not yet, teenagers view them less
seriously than their more famous counterparts. They see commercials for them
every day, and have probably already taken them to relieve pain or cold
symptoms. Taking the extra step and ingesting larger amounts of those same
drugs doesn't seem like such a big deal. The pill or syrup forms of OTC drugs
are also more familiar to teenagers and, in safe amounts, are condoned by
their parents. Additionally, while some people might be squeamish of injecting
a drug, using a syringe, or snorting a powder, taking a pill or swallowing syrup
seems safe and easy.
A Parent's Guide to Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse, published by the
Partnership for a Drug-Free America, suggests these steps for parents who
want to communicate with teens about OTC drugs:
• Be clear that you do not want your teen taking medicine without your
knowledge.
• Teach your teens and younger children to respect medicines. Medicines
are important tools in healthcare, but they must be used according to
directions.
• Make sure your teen understands that abusing cough medicine—just as
abusing illegal drugs—can be very dangerous.
The relative novelty of OTC drug abuse and the more widespread abuse of
other, illegal drugs means that the average person has little knowledge of it;
some people are not even aware that there is a problem at all. Because of this,
teenagers may not be knowledgeable about the consequences of their abuse.
School health classes often don't include OTC drugs in their discussions of
abuse of other, more common drugs like marijuana, nor have there been
commercials on TV warning against OTC drug abuse. If parents have never
heard of OTC drug abuse, they can't warn their children about its dangers.
Without being exposed to information regarding the dangers of drugs like DXM,
users may not be aware of how risky those drugs truly are.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America conducted a survey in 2005 to
gather data concerning OTC drug abuse. Among other things, the study
concluded:
• Ten percent of all high school students had abused cough medicine.
• Fifty-five percent of teenagers don't think that getting high off cough
medicine is risky.
• Only one-third of parents have discussed OTC drug abuse with their
children.
• The Internet is the main source of information on OTC drug use.
======================================================
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