The surprising trend in teen drug use

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

When you think about teens and substance abuse, you probably imagine scary scenarios involving alcohol or illegal drugs. I doubt the bathroom cabinet even flashes through your mind. But according to a recent survey of teens by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in ten admit to using cough medicine to get high and 28 percent say they know someone who’s tried it.

While a normal dose of cough meds won’t give your child a buzz, larger quantities can be both intoxicating and toxic. “That’s why it doesn’t register on a lot of parents’ radar screen,” Steve Pasierb, CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, says. “We’re talking about large volumes. We’re talking about drinking a bottle…taking a whole package of caplets.” For more information about this OTC drug danger, including how to talk to your kids, watch my interview with Steve below.

For more information and advice about teen substance abuse, check out StopMedicineAbuse and Time to Act.

Ann Pleshette Murphy » cough medicine

The surprising trend in teen drug use