RX & Over The Counter Drugs Presentation

Marijuana Use Alcohol Use Tobacco Use Cocaine Use Heroin Use

Nationwide illegal drug use is down 23%, which translates into 840,000 less children using drugs this year!

Unfortunately, RX & Over the Counter drug use is rising at an alarming rate!

Prescription Drugs:Pain RelieversTranquilizersStimulantsHypnoticsSedatives

Over The Counter Drugs: Readily available drugs for

purchase without a doctor’s prescription used for common illnesses and injuries

These drugs are readily available in every home’s medicine cabinet!

Pain Relievers: Oxycontin, Vicodin, Tylox, Percodan, Percocet, Lorcet and Lortab

Tranquilizers: Valium, Xanax

Stimulants: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta

Cough Medicines: Contains Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Sleep Aids: Tylenol PM

Motion Sickness Aids: Dramamime

1 in 3 teens reports having a close friend who abuses Rx pain relievers to get high

1 in 4 teens reports having a close friend who abuses cough medicine

1 out of 10 teens Nationwide reports using cough medicines to get high

4.5 Million teens have reported using Rx drugs

2.4 Million teens have reported using cough medicines

Extreme health risks up, including heart disease, breathing problems, and death!

Helping Communities Respond to RX & OTC Abuse, 23 Minutes (Parents/Adults)

Children who learn the facts about drug use from their parents are half as likely to use drugs.

Teens are influenced more by their parents & grandparents than any other factor (News Week Poll)

Teen heroes are more likely to be a relative or friend than another recognizable figure (USA Today Poll)

Teens look up to parents, siblings, or other relatives more than any other person in their life (National Families in Action Poll)

Have children speak to you about drugs Read drug facts label on bottles Check ingredients Choose the right medicine for the ailment

you have Report if you feel worse when taking

medicine Always keep track of medicines used Speak to a doctor about medicines Keep medicines in proper containers Keep drugs out of reach from children & pets Learn side effects of drug use Discard unnecessary or old drugs properly Lead by example, your children are watching

Don’t use medicine unless you know what it is and what it is for

Don’t use more medicine than is listed or prescribed

Don’t use other peoples medicines Don’t share medicines Don’t take longer than is recommended Don’t used expired medicines Don’t crush or break pills unless

prescribed

Parents are the key to controlling the use, misuse, and abuse of RX & OTC Drugs.

Do Not Flush down the toilet Check to see if a drug collection

program is scheduled in your town. Take your drugs out of original

packaging. Mix drugs with undesirable substance,

i.e. kitty litter, coffee grounds, etc. Put mixture is disposable, sealable

container then discard in trash.

DATE TBAEdison Municipal Complex

100 Municipal Blvd. Edison, NJ10:00am to 2:00pm

No Questions Asked!

732-248-7400 (Main Number)9-1-1 Emergency

NJ Poison Control – 1-800-222-1222

Crime Prevention – 732-248-6442

2nd Floor – 1-888-222-2228 Youth Helpline

SPECIAL THANKS to D.A.R.E. FOR THEIRCONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS PRESENTATION.