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About Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse
Taking prescription drugs without a doctor’s approval and supervision
can be a dangerous — even deadly — decision. Parents can prevent drug abuse by
setting clear expectations and communicating with their children early.
Question: My son said that his friends are “robotripping.” Could you
tell me what this is and is it dangerous?
Answer: “Robotripping” is the nickname for abuse of Robitussin® cough syrup or any
cold and flu pills that contains dextromethorphan (which causes hallucinations similar to PCP).
Many emergency rooms across the United States are reporting increased numbers of teens who are
abusing over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough preparations. Robitussin®, Coricidin HBP®, Vicks
NyQuil® and Vicks Formula 44® are the most common cold drugs abused because they are legal, easy
to get and inexpensive. Watch for the symptoms of abuse which include: sweating, high body temperature,
dry mouth, blurred vision, hallucinations, delusions, nausea, stomach pains, vomiting, irregular heart
beat, high blood pressure, numbness in toes and fingers, red face, headache, loss of consciousness.
Question: I’ve heard that you can buy prescription drugs on the Web without a prescription or even
seeing a doctor. Is this true? How can I prevent my daughter from buying drugs online?
Answer: Unfortunately, anyone that has a computer and a credit card can likely get a prescription filled online
even if they never see a doctor or get a written prescription. “Pill mills” are Internet pharmacies which operate
on the edge of the law, and in most case outside the United States. These drug shops are set up by unscrupulous
doctors who prescribe pain pills for profit, not for pain purposes. It isn’t hard for a teenager to access these
on-line pharmacies and pick out drugs they’ve heard about. Not only are these medications harmful when taken without
a prescription, they can also cause damage to a teenager’s brain.
There are ways to prevent this. Talk to your kids about illicit drug use. Be vigilant about your child’s online
activities. Watch the history of sites your kids visit on the Internet. Limit and watch the purchases that your
child is making with your credit card or with online accounts. Be aware of what is mailed to your home. Make sure
that unrequested packages aren’t being delivered to your home. Remove your medications from the medicine cabinet and
put them in a safe place where only you have access to them. Remember, keeping communications open between you and your
children is the best prevention action a parent can do! For more on the dangers of “pill mills,” visit the News section.
Question: How is the medication for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) being abused?
Answer: Medications used for both disorders--Ritalin® and Adderall® are being diverted as a stimulant to “help study
better.” Both are sold on the street for $1.00-$5.00. Parents need to be alert to the amount of medication in a
bottle: if pills seem to be disappearing quickly, then parents need to check into it. No matter if parents say they
can trust their child, all parents should lock up all medications in a simple lock box. This will protect your child
and his/her friends from the temptation of abusing prescription drugs.
Question: The middle school principal called me today to tell me that my son was caught “giving out”
Percodan®. My son tells me that all his friends are using prescription drugs. Help! Why do these kids use these
kinds of drugs?
Answer: People abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. For teens, life can seem very stressful and
demanding. There is an erroneous belief that it’s okay to “escape” these feelings through drug-taking behavior.
Whether it’s alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs, teens often take whichever is available. Kids sometimes think
that taking a pill or OTC medication that comes from the local pharmacy is less harmful than taking a pill that comes
from the local pusher. Talk to your teen about the dangers of illicit drug use. Lock up your prescriptions. Get to know
your child’s friends and their families. Take the position that no drug use is tolerated in your family.
Related Information:
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