Where teens are getting Rx drugs

Friends and the family medicine cabinet are the major sources of these drugs. More than seventy percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from family or friends.¹ Others may abuse their own prescription medicine. Teens also report that these drugs are not hard to find. About 40 percent of 12th graders say that painkillers are fairly or very easy to get, and more than half say the same of stimulants.²

Where should you look to make sure prescription drugs are not readily available?

At Home: A teen may scout his own home first if he's looking to get high from prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

With Friends: Talk with the parents in other households your teen has access to about safeguarding medications

With Relatives: Grandparents may be another source of prescription drugs for teens. In fact, 10 percent of teens say they took drugs from friends or relatives without asking.³

Take the tour to learn about all of the danger zones and common places for teens to get prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as specific advice on how to protect them from this type of abuse.

The search starts at home

Found out your teen is abusing Rx drugs?

• Step-by-step guide
• Talk to your teen about the dangers of Rx abuse
• Build a support group