5 Drugs Teens Steal from Their Parents

During my time working as a Police Officer I went on many calls of accidental and intentional overdose. More often than most people would realize, the victim of the overdose was a teenager. Some of these cases involved illicit street narcotics like heroin or cocaine. However, just as often, the drug of choice was an over the counter medication or a prescription medication that the teenager had stolen from his/her parent's medicine cabinet.

I am going to give you examples of 5 types of drugs that teenagers are most likely to steal from you and how they can affect your child. Though you may not have thought of it, your medicine cabinet should be monitored and treated the same way you would your liquor cabinet. I always recommend to parents that they discuss the dangers of all drugs, including the legal ones. Children should be taught that even prescription medications can be deadly. I also would recommend that when you are done with your medication, do not keep the extra ones, throw them away.

Prescription Medications:

1) Pain killers- Many of you may have Vicodin, Oxycotin, Darvocet or other types of pain killers in your medicine cabinet. These drugs can impair your thinking, as well as cause drowsiness, vomiting, and seizures. If too many of these pills are taken, it can be fatal. However, many teens thinking only of the euphoric feeling they get while using this narcotic, never consider that it could kill them.

2) Sleep aids- These come as prescriptions such as Ambien, Sinata and others. But there are also many sold over the counter, such as Tylenol PM, Unisom or Sleepinal. What you may use to help you fall asleep, your child may use to relax or obtain the feeling of being drowsy. It can cause dizziness, forgetfulness, clumsiness and even blurred vision. And for your kids, taking just a couple more of these pills then the recommended dose, can cause them to fall into a coma and it can kill them.

3) Stimulants- Drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall are found in many Americans medicine cabinets these days. However, if not taken exactly as prescribed, they can cause insomnia, heart racing, hyperactivity and impulse control. If overused, it can also cause rapid breathing, muscle pain, aggressive behavior and depression, amongst other symptoms. If someone overdoses on these drugs, it can be fatal.

4) Tranquilizers- These are sedatives or "depressants" such as Valium or Xanax. These types of drugs can impair your judgement and coordination as well as your memory and can cause sleepiness. If someone overdoses on these, it can certainly be fatal.

5) Cough medicine- Both prescription and over the counter cough medicines can contain ingredients similar to morphine. Often times my overdose calls on duty were from something as common as Nyquil, Robitussin or some other brand of cough medicine. Overdosing on a cough medicine can cause respiratory problems as well as brain hemorrhage. Also, like the other medicines I have mentioned, an overdose of cough syrup can cause you to go into a coma and can be fatal.

Any of the above types of medicines can also cause death when combined with each other. They are all addictive when abused, and for your teenagers, they are easily accessible right in their own homes. I always tell parents that if you suspect something is wrong with your child, act on it. If you notice behavioral differences such as slurred speech, serious mood swings, isolation, extreme sleepiness or hyperactivity, you need to take action. As a parent you have the right and the responsibility to talk to your kids and to search their rooms for drugs. Too many parents are trying to be their teenagers friend, and are worried about invading their privacy. I could give you a list of names of parents who wish that they had searched their children's rooms and belongings and found out what was going on under their roof. Some of those parents learned the truth, only after having to bury their child. This does not need to happen to your family.

I want to add a couple of examples of places where teens hide their drugs, and where parents seldom think to look. One of those places is behind the switch plate cover in their room. They unscrew the plate, hide their drugs and screw it back on. You will also want to check the tops of the ceiling fan blades. Sometimes kids will tape their drugs there, knowing you won't see it or think to check it. Teenagers in particular, can be quite resourceful when they are trying to hide something from their parents. You need to get resourceful too, because it may save their life.

Sources:
http://www.mnpoison.org/index.asp?pageID=275
http://www.drugs.com/