The Berrien County Health Department is urging the parents of teens to help ensure their kids don’t abuse prescription medications after a Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the CDC found one in eight teens admit to misusing those drugs.
Health department prevention specialist Callie Graham tells us medication abuse among teens is real, although not as common as other concerns like vaping.
“So a lot of times painkillers will be abused, sometimes sleeping medication will be abused, but it’s not an epidemic level for teens,” Graham said.
Graham says the most common way teens get their hands on prescriptions is at home. So, she urges parents to set a good example when it comes to the use of prescriptions.
“So taking as prescribed, keeping it only to the person it is prescribed to. Additionally, if they are using an opioid type medication and they have concerns about someone else gaining access, lockboxes.”
The Berrien County Health Department keeps medication lockboxes at its offices and can give them out to parents who need them. Graham says they also give out lockboxes at some events.
Graham urges parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of prescription abuse. The Berrien County Health Department offers some help right here.
