Twelve Talks to
Have With Teens
Medicine Misuse
Teens from Jefferson County report sharing prescriptions happens, but is less common than other forms of substance misuse (YTH 2024).
In Jefferson County, 7% of high schoolers report having ever used a prescription drug not prescribed to them (HKCS 2023).
Do not assume your teen is or is not at risk.
The type of medicine shared can include:
- “Study drugs” including Ritalin®, Adderall®, Concerta®, and Focalin®.
- Anti-anxiety drugs including Xanax® and Klonopin®.
- Prescribed opioid pain relievers, such as Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin.
Sometimes people leave their dentist or oral surgeon’s office with a prescription for an opioid called hydrocodone, commonly known as Vicodin, or another opioid.
If you have any type of opioid medication in your home, you should keep naloxone in your home as well. Naloxone can be obtained without a prescription from any pharmacy and is simple to use, as shown in this short video. The most common form of naloxone comes as a nasal spray unit known as Narcan. More information on naloxone can be found here.
Talking is the key, even though there is no perfect way to talk with your teen about alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and other drugs. Being honest and involved has a big influence on your teen, even if it seems like they are not listening.
Video: This Is What Happens to Your Brain on Opioids
Open Ended Questions
Here are some open ended questions you can use to talk to your teen about medicine misuse:
- What would you do if a friend wanted to try some of your prescription meds?
- Why do you think people share their study drugs?
- Why do you think so many people are experiencing pain killer addiction?
- What do you think would prevent teens from taking other people’s prescriptions?
- What have you heard about Narcan (a medicine to prevent opioid overdose)?
- How would you react if you were offered a pill at a party?
Conversation Starters
Discuss drug overdoses, recognizing a drug overdose, and seeking help, including understanding Colorado’s “Good Samaritan” Law. The law states that if you call 911 in the event of a friend or loved one overdosing on drugs or alcohol and you stay with the person experiencing overdose, you will not get in trouble – even if you were drinking or taking drugs yourself. The law also protects the person experiencing an overdose. Please note: The Good Samaritan Law does not provide immunity to others who remain present or those with other legal issues.
Anytime your teen gets a prescription, have a conversation about prescription medications, the need to keep the medications in a secure place, and the danger of sharing medication with someone who has not been given a prescription for it. Ask them what they would do if friends ask to have a few of their pills.
When you hear about the opioid crisis on TV or the radio, use it as an opening to ask your teen why they think teens may be misusing pain medications or other drugs.
Ask yourself
Are you assuming your teen is or is not vulnerable? Talk with your teen about the risks of opioid addiction, framing it as a danger inherent to the drugs and not something specifically about your teen. Point out that opioid addiction has become a large public health concern and is all over the media; many people from all walks of life have been blindsided by opioids. Opioid addiction is something to be extra cautious about.
Are you taking steps to prevent misuse of prescription drugs or over the counter medication?
Monitor
- Know what and how much you have so you notice if any is missing. Keep all medicines in one place to make tracking easier.
- Check in with your teen about their medications and the danger of sharing prescription medication with those who do not have a prescription for it.
- Understand the difference between opioid and non-opioid medications, as well as potential side effects.
- Have an honest conversation with your teen and do not be afraid to ask their doctor any questions you both have.
Lock
- Lock medicines (as well as alcohol, cannabis, and firearms) in a cabinet, cupboard, room, lock box or safe to prevent access by children, pets, household visitors or anyone else who might be in your home. Many pharmacies sell a variety of lock boxes that adapt to your specific needs.
- Talk with friends and family about their safe storage practices. Misused medicines are often taken from a friend or relative’s medicine cabinet (SAMHSA).
Dispose
- Do not store medications you are not using. Since many medications are not safe to put in the trash or down the drain, here is information on where and how to drop them off.
Data included on this page includes:
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2023 (HKCS 2023)
Jefferson County Communities That Care Youth Town Hall 2024 (YTH 2024)
