Transcript Prescription Drug Abuse

Illegal Use of
Prescription Drugs
Presentation by
Genesee County Prosecutor
David Leyton
What is
Prescription
Drug Abuse?
How Big is the Problem Among
Young People?
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1 in 5 teens have taken prescription drugs
without having a prescription for it
themselves
Prescription drugs are abused by teens
more than any other drug except
marijuana
Every day, 2,500 youth abuse prescription
drugs for the first time
1/3 of all new abusers are 12-17 years old
Why Are Teens Doing This?
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Many reasons:
to party and get high
 to cope with academic, social,
and emotional stresses that are
common to all teens
 to lose weight or to bulk up
 peer pressure

What are the risks?
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Acute Risks
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death
brain damage
other organ damage
Long-term Risks
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Potentially addictive
Lifelong pattern of dependency
Common Household Prescriptions
Often Abused
-
Vicodin
Oxycontin
Xanax
Lorazepam
-
Ritalin
Tylenol 3
Valium
Diazepam
The Law

Possession and Use

Possession with Intent to Deliver

Delivery
Where Do Teens Get The Drugs?
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Medicine cabinets
Other Friends
Parties
Illegally from
pharmacists or
doctors
What Can You Do?
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Communicate with your
patients
Explain the dangers of
prescription drugs
Encourage patients to talk
to their children about
medicines in the home
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Thank you!