4 Steps To Preventing Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

Over the past few years, WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has reported on the rise in prescription drug use in UAE schools.

Although the UAE launched the 'Siraj' anti-drugs programme in November 2016 and Dubai responded by assigning anti-narcotic officers to schools, parents can also play a role in making sure it's not THEIR prescription drugs that are ending-up in our schools.

What YOU can do to combat drug use in schools?
Do you know that many of the narcotics seized in UAE schools are actually prescription drugs?

According to the website, The Partnership for Drug Free Kids, "two-thirds of teens who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances."

Even more of a concern, is that when questioned, some teens don't actually know what they are ingesting.

Monitoring
If you or someone in your family has prescription drugs, how are they stored? It's actually very likely they are simply sitting in your bathroom cupboard right now. If this is how your family keeps their prescriptions- then its time to take action.

Do you know how many bottles/tablets you have?

First, do a 'stock-take,' count and monitor both your containers and individual pills. 

Talking
The next step is talking to friends and family, especially the elderly. 

Writing for yourmodernfamily.com, mum and site founder- Becky says, "I spoke openly with my relatives and friends that my children visit on a regular basis including my sister, parents, in-laws and neighbors."

"I discussed the growing issue of students using prescription medication and my concern that my children (even if they act like angels now!) may be tempted to experiment as they get older. I asked them all to lock up any medication. If they did not want to do this daily, I requested that they respect our wish and complete this action when we visit."

Securing
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, recommends that you treat your drugs much like your valuables. Lock up the bathroom cabinet or store them somewhere only you know about. Better yet, invest in a safe and actually keep your prescription drugs WITH your valuables.

Disposing
How you dispose of your unused or expired drugs is equally important.

Now is the time to sort through your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of the drugs which are expired and/or not required. This way you will only have what you need and be able to monitor their use. 

Do You Know... 
According to police in the UAE, the number one offender in this country is the prescription drug Tramadol. The opiate whose brand names include: Ultracet and Ultram is used to treat pain. Tramadol users (and abusers) quickly build tolerance to the drug and require larger and larger doses to obtain the desired effect.

Other prescription drugs commonly found illegally in the UAE include: Artin, prescribed for Wilson disease and severe rheumatic pain.  Camadrin/Kemadrin for Parkinsons and Dormicum which is prescribed for short-term insomnia. To a lesser extend there is also Lyrica to control seizures and treat nerve pain and Legaflex (Carisoprodol) used to stop pain in the nerves and brain.