Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease)
February 02, 2008 - During Sunday's Super Bowl, the National Drug Control Policy will launch an unprecedented public education program to alert parents about the dangers of prescription and over the counter drug abuse by teenagers. The campaign is to educate parents and stepparents about the very real threat of over the counter (OTC) and prescription drug abuse in their homes. Parents and step-parents alike can use this as an opportunity to start an important conversation with their teens.
Over 2.1 million kids abused prescription drugs in 2006 with varying negative outcomes including becoming very sick with lasting side effects, becoming addicted, and death. Public awareness of the dangers of mixing prescription medications has increased with the recent death of actor Heath Ledger.
According to step-parenting expert Emily Bouchard, founder of www.Blended-Families.com, “In blended family situations where teens are transitioning between different homes, there is increased risk of abuse because they can operate under the radar, especially if parents are not on the same page with monitoring and supervising.” Bouchard explains, “There is less ability for divorced parents to track their teenagers’ usage/abuse as one parent cannot observe what’s happening in the house of the other one.”
The most popular and most highly addictive pain killers, Oxycontin and Vicodin, are found to be easily accessible in the family medicine cabinet, dad’s briefcase, or step-mom’s night stand. Many parents are unaware that teens do not use these painkillers for pain, but to get high. Cold and cough remedies are also often experimented with and can have dangerous consequences when mixed with other pills.
Along with getting educated, Bouchard recommends that divorced parents of teenagers stay in weekly contact about any possible changes in mood, behavior, or physical appearance. The professional coaches at Blended-Families.com, LLC work with parents to avoid pointing fingers and blaming each other. They coach parents of teenagers to stick to sharing observations, and to look for ways to be in conversation with each other and with their teenagers about their concerns.
Study after study has conclusively shown that parents are the most effective Anti Drug influence on their teens. Having open conversations with their teenagers about the dangers and risks associated with prescription drugs can set a tone that lets the teens know their parents are aware and available if they have questions or if they find themselves tempted. Parents and stepparents are encouraged to be good stewards of any prescription drugs in their home, and Bouchard goes on to affirm that “being a good role model where drugs are concerned” is the best teaching tool a parent has.
As families prepare to enjoy SuperBowl XLII and the slew of entertaining commercials, they can also be prepared for an important conversation about this new kind of drug abuse once these particular ads are shown. Perhaps these commercials, along with Heath Ledger’s death, could serve a purpose in furthering a dialogue with teenagers and preteens about how dangerous and unpredictable mixing OTC and prescription drugs can be.
For additional information on how to be empowered as parents when facing the prospect of OTC and Prescription drug abuse by teenagers, contact Emily Bouchard or visit Blended-Families.com. Parents can prepare themselves before Sunday by checking out the excellent resources found at www.TheAntiDrug.com.
Contact:
Jesse Fisher, director of public relations
Blended-Families.com, LLC
801-423-6426
http://www.Blended-Families.com
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