South Carolina College of Pharmacy

Presenters names go here

What is a prescription drug?

A medication that requires written instructions from a doctor, which can then be dispensed by a pharmacist.

How many prescriptions are purchased in the United States every

year?

3.8 Billion

Why do people need prescription drugs?To improve the quality of their

health

Abuse vs. MisuseAbuse: taking a medication without a prescription in order to experience the feeling it gives you or “get high”.

Misuse: taking a medication incorrectly or in a different way than your doctor prescribed.

20% of teenagers abuse prescription drugs

• Taking the wrong amount• Taking it at the wrong time• Forgetting to take it• Stopping use of the medication too

soon

Why do people abuse prescription drugs?

•To get high or feel good•On accident (misuse)•“Self-medicating”•To feel better•Peer Pressure

•To feel more confident•To do better in school

•They’re bored•To rebel or someone told them not to

•They think they are safer than street drugs

Why are abuse and misuse dangerous?•Every year 15,000 people

die from overdosing on prescription painkillers

•In 2009, 1.2 million emergency room visits were prescription drug related while 1 million were related to elicit

drugs.

Commonly Abused Drugs: Opioids

•Pain medications are prescription medications given to individuals to provide relief for many types of pain.

•Examples•Codeine•Percocet•Vicodin

•Side Effects•Slowed breathing•Lowered pulse/blood pressure•Addiction•Coma•Death

Commonly Abused Drugs: Depressants

•Prescribed by a doctor to relieve anxiety, reduce arousal or stimulation

•Examples•Xanax•Valium•Ambien•Phenobarbital

Commonly Abused Drugs: Stimulants

•Medication prescribed by a doctor to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by balancing chemicals in the brain

•Examples•Adderall•Vyvanse•Concerta

•Side Effects•Increased heart rate•Decreased appetite•Nervousness•Heart attach•Stroke

Why are abuse and misuse dangerous?

•Addiction and withdrawal

•Accidents and injury

•Poor academic performance

•IT’S ILLEGAL!

How to prevent abuse:

Peer Pressure•80% of teenagers have not abused

prescription medications

•90% of teenagers don’t think using prescription drugs is important for

fitting in with friends

How to prevent abuse: Academics

•Ask for help from teachers, parents, coaches, or school counselors

•If you think you need prescriptions, ask your doctor

How to prevent abuse:

Accidents•Read the directions on your prescriptions

•Ask you doctor and pharmacist to make sure you’re taking it correctly

•Set a timer as a reminder

•Keep medications in the original bottle and stored in a safe place

How to prevent abuse:

Self-medicatingIf you think you need prescription

drugs for focusing, because you’re sad or stressed, or any

other reason – ask your doctor!

How to prevent abuse:

Thinking it’s safer than street drugs

40% of teenagers consider the abuse of prescription drugs to be much safer than street drugs.

The majority of teenagers who abuse prescriptions get them for free from family and friends

If you think you have a problem – GET HELP!•Crisis Call Center: 1-800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863

•crisiscallcenter.org

•National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

•http://teens.drugabuse.gov

•National Institute on Drug Abuse

•Drugabuse.gov

•Ask your parents, doctor, pharmacist, coaches, or teachers