Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drug abuse is a fast-growing problem in our country, especially among young people. Kids have more access to prescription drugs than ever. The two main sources for the drugs are parents' medicine cabinets and the Internet. In the case of the latter, many kids are simply hopping online and visiting one of the thousands of illicit web-based pharmacies where obtaining prescription drugs is as easy as providing a credit card online.
Because different age groups require different advice, here are some important "talking points" for discussions with children of all ages.
For Preschoolers
- Tell your kids that medicines are made to help make you feel better, but can hurt you if they are not taken the way they're supposed to be. To illustrate this point, show them the instructions on a prescription bottle.
- Tell them to never put ANYTHING in their mouth unless they know what it is.
For Five to Eight Year Olds
- Tell your children that medicine is not the only way to make yourself feel better. Emphasize that rest and a healthy diet can also help you feel better when you're sick
- Tell them to never take medicine or eat candy given by someone other than a parent or a trusted individual that the parent has given their permission to (a nurse, a teacher, a grandparent, etc.)
For Nine to Eleven Year Olds
- Learn about the effects of various prescription drugs and then share that information with your child.
- Role-play with your children and instruct them how to say "NO" to someone who offers them drugs.
- Establish specific consequences with your children if they engage in any drug-related activities, including abusing prescription drugs.
For Twelve to Fourteen Year Olds
- Graphically describe some of the more harmful and distasteful things that can happen to an individual who abuses prescription drugs (vomiting, sexual side effects, etc.)
- Reinforce the fact that although doctors prescribe certain medications, taking these drugs the wrong way can result in serious illness or death.
- Tell your kids about how drugs can ruin their future and keep them from achieving their goals and dreams.
For Fifteen to Seventeen Year Olds
- Reinforce the message that drugs of any kind can ruin their future, making the message more specific towards college and career goals.
- Research the legal ramifications of trading or sell prescriptions drugs, then paint a clear picture for your children about the criminal consequences.
- At this age, and perhaps even younger, it is a good idea to inventory all the prescription drugs you have in your home. Destroy unused or unwanted pills that may have the potential to be used by your kids in an illicit manner.
- Also, keep close tabs on your children's Internet usage - watching for visits to online pharmacy sites or drug-culture related sites.
Michael's House helps families who are struggling with a member who is involved with drugs. If someone close to you has a prescription drug addiction, we can help them get the addiction treatment they need to get their life back on track.
Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
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