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Risky Teen Behaviors: The 5 Biggies Parents Should Know About
Risky Teen Behaviors: The 5 Biggies Parents Should Know About
By Nancy Shute Nancy Shute Tue Jun 8, 5:09 pm ET
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked teenagers if they had ever used a prescription drug that wasn't prescribed to them, 23 percent said "Yes." That was the big news in the CDC's new Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which anonymously polled 16,000 high school students in 2009 about whether they had been drinking, smoking, using illegal drugs, or indulging in other risky behaviors.
Twenty-three percent may sound like a lot, but it's not a big surprise to researchers. Teenage abuse of ADHD drugs, like Adderal, has risen 76 percent in the past eight years, according to a study published last year in Pediatrics. And opioid drugs like OxyContin, which are widely prescribed to adults for pain relief, are the third-most-popular drugs of abuse for teenagers. Both ADHD medications and OxyContin are easy to find in medicine cabinets and teenagers figure most parents will never notice if one or two pills go missing.
The simplest way to end "borrowing" of prescription drugs that are apt to be abused is to keep them out of reach, according to Jennifer Setlik, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, whom I interviewed last year about the ADHD drug abuse study, which she led. "Parents need to keep a very close eye on medications," Setlik said. "A locked cabinet would not be out of line." Locking up prescription drugs also protects younger children against accidental poisoning.
If you come across pills in your child's pocket and wonder what they've got, Pillbox, a nifty new program from the National Library of Medicine, can help you identify the medication by size, shape, color, and printing.
But the biggest news the new survey delivers may be that illegal prescription drug use is the least of a parent's worries. Of the high school respondents:
-- 72 percent had used alcohol at least once in their lives.
-- 37 percent had used marijuana.
-- 8 percent had used hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD or mescaline.
-- 6.7 percent had used ecstasy.
-- 6 percent had used cocaine.
Clearly, alcohol poses a greater risk to the greatest number of teens than does any other drug, even marijuana. Add in the fact that drinking alcohol is a major contributor to the number one cause of teenage deaths, motor vehicle crashes, and parents should be most worried about what their children are drinking, and who's driving the car. Indeed, in the 30 days before the survey:
--9.7 percent said they rarely or never wore a seat belt while riding in a car driven by someone else.
--9.7 had driven once or more when they had been drinking; 15.4 percent of high school seniors say they drink and drive.
--28 percent say they had ridden in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.
--41 percent had drunk alcohol.
--20.8 percent had smoked marijuana.
Keeping kids who drink away from cars would go a long way towards keeping teenagers safe. Teaching them about the dangers of drinking, illegal drug use, and smoking tobacco would help, too, of course. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued new guidelines on teenagers and alcohol use, designed to help parents teach their children to make wise choices. The number one suggestion: Have a strict family policy of no drinking, smoking, or drugs before age 21.
By Nancy Shute Nancy Shute Tue Jun 8, 5:09 pm ET
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked teenagers if they had ever used a prescription drug that wasn't prescribed to them, 23 percent said "Yes." That was the big news in the CDC's new Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which anonymously polled 16,000 high school students in 2009 about whether they had been drinking, smoking, using illegal drugs, or indulging in other risky behaviors.
Twenty-three percent may sound like a lot, but it's not a big surprise to researchers. Teenage abuse of ADHD drugs, like Adderal, has risen 76 percent in the past eight years, according to a study published last year in Pediatrics. And opioid drugs like OxyContin, which are widely prescribed to adults for pain relief, are the third-most-popular drugs of abuse for teenagers. Both ADHD medications and OxyContin are easy to find in medicine cabinets and teenagers figure most parents will never notice if one or two pills go missing.
The simplest way to end "borrowing" of prescription drugs that are apt to be abused is to keep them out of reach, according to Jennifer Setlik, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, whom I interviewed last year about the ADHD drug abuse study, which she led. "Parents need to keep a very close eye on medications," Setlik said. "A locked cabinet would not be out of line." Locking up prescription drugs also protects younger children against accidental poisoning.
If you come across pills in your child's pocket and wonder what they've got, Pillbox, a nifty new program from the National Library of Medicine, can help you identify the medication by size, shape, color, and printing.
But the biggest news the new survey delivers may be that illegal prescription drug use is the least of a parent's worries. Of the high school respondents:
-- 72 percent had used alcohol at least once in their lives.
-- 37 percent had used marijuana.
-- 8 percent had used hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD or mescaline.
-- 6.7 percent had used ecstasy.
-- 6 percent had used cocaine.
Clearly, alcohol poses a greater risk to the greatest number of teens than does any other drug, even marijuana. Add in the fact that drinking alcohol is a major contributor to the number one cause of teenage deaths, motor vehicle crashes, and parents should be most worried about what their children are drinking, and who's driving the car. Indeed, in the 30 days before the survey:
--9.7 percent said they rarely or never wore a seat belt while riding in a car driven by someone else.
--9.7 had driven once or more when they had been drinking; 15.4 percent of high school seniors say they drink and drive.
--28 percent say they had ridden in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.
--41 percent had drunk alcohol.
--20.8 percent had smoked marijuana.
Keeping kids who drink away from cars would go a long way towards keeping teenagers safe. Teaching them about the dangers of drinking, illegal drug use, and smoking tobacco would help, too, of course. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued new guidelines on teenagers and alcohol use, designed to help parents teach their children to make wise choices. The number one suggestion: Have a strict family policy of no drinking, smoking, or drugs before age 21.
Thanks, but her mother was a heroine addict and they found her dead a few years back. So yes, it was in the home. I didnt care for the girl at all. I mean what kind of a mom has 4 children and turns to drugs right? They found her with a pain patch in her mouth. She was not welcome in my home, and looking back on it, I feel bad about that but I did not feel like I could condone it in any way. Since her death the children have been in therapy and it has really helped. The oldest however, having been raised by a druggie really did not understand until her mom died. Tis sad, but things are turning around for them.
When mine were growing up, they never ever did drugs or alcohol thank god. But what they do when they leave home, you have no control over. Life is full of twists and turns and like I said, the only thing you can do is your best and trust god to pick up where we fail.
When mine were growing up, they never ever did drugs or alcohol thank god. But what they do when they leave home, you have no control over. Life is full of twists and turns and like I said, the only thing you can do is your best and trust god to pick up where we fail.
I really think some kids are determined to self destruct. They have great parents and aren't deprived in any way. There are just some who push the limits. I've no idea why. Maybe they're wired differently. But I'm willing to bet that Teko's granddaughter turns into a wonderful responsible adult. But until then, good luck. I know she didn't learn those behaviors at home. Nothing is wrong with her home. Who knows why she's pushing the limits??
LOL, your word is gospel till they start school, then the peer pressure sets in. Parents can only do the best they can do and then trust god to do the rest.
I like to think you are right and that I will not be one of those "not my kid" parents. I guess I just look at that innocent little face now and I can't even imagine. But, I am a pretty strong person, and I do believe at the end of the day i would do what is right and seek whatever help would be necessary.
Sara, good for you. There is nothing wrong with taking prescription drugs (except that it means your in pain, which bites), but you are being responsible and making sure the right person is taking them. You are aware.
Teko, I am sorry you are going through a tough time with your grandaughter. I hope all works out well for her. I well remember being a 13 year old girl...not easy. I know I am going to have my challenges as Ryder grows up, and I sure hope I always do the right thing by him. Which would mean holding him responsible for his actions. After all, it is our job to teach them about real life isn't it. Darn, where is that manual...lol.
Sara, good for you. There is nothing wrong with taking prescription drugs (except that it means your in pain, which bites), but you are being responsible and making sure the right person is taking them. You are aware.
Teko, I am sorry you are going through a tough time with your grandaughter. I hope all works out well for her. I well remember being a 13 year old girl...not easy. I know I am going to have my challenges as Ryder grows up, and I sure hope I always do the right thing by him. Which would mean holding him responsible for his actions. After all, it is our job to teach them about real life isn't it. Darn, where is that manual...lol.
My 13 year old grandaughter would get prescription drugs from her other grandmothers medicine cabinet and then sell them. It took months for those poor old people to even notice any missing, but eventually they did and her dad busted her. She learned her lesson then but now is caught with alcohol. And is now 16, so the car is used for leverage on that one. Man am I glad mine are grown, I do not envy you guys! lol
I'm not real shocked. My kid's friends tell me more than I want to know sometimes!! Too much information!
I do have narcotics in my home. I am a chronic pain patient who requires them to function. And yes, I do get them through a doctor and take them as prescribed. But I guarantee you that I'll know if one or two pills are missing. I'm never short and I have kids in my house all the time. I should note that my kids are very anti drug. They've seen the affects on other teens, siblings of their friends and of my own sister. It scares the bejeebers out of them!! Thank goodness!!!
I do have narcotics in my home. I am a chronic pain patient who requires them to function. And yes, I do get them through a doctor and take them as prescribed. But I guarantee you that I'll know if one or two pills are missing. I'm never short and I have kids in my house all the time. I should note that my kids are very anti drug. They've seen the affects on other teens, siblings of their friends and of my own sister. It scares the bejeebers out of them!! Thank goodness!!!
6 year olds??????!!!! Ugh.
But you are right. All kinds of things do you have to think about. I say certain phrases in certain tones . . . I guess. And I have heard my sons saying the same things with the same tones. I wanted to crawl into a hole as it didn't sound the way that I intended. It made me rethink how I handle certain things. When you see your kids mirror your flaws . . . it is a rude awakening.
Man . . . there is a lot to think about when you are a parent!
But you are right. All kinds of things do you have to think about. I say certain phrases in certain tones . . . I guess. And I have heard my sons saying the same things with the same tones. I wanted to crawl into a hole as it didn't sound the way that I intended. It made me rethink how I handle certain things. When you see your kids mirror your flaws . . . it is a rude awakening.
Man . . . there is a lot to think about when you are a parent!
Want to hear something crazy? My husbands cousin is a first grade teacher. She teaches in sort of a rough area of town. She caught a big group of her 6 year old first graders smoking!!!! When asked where they got the cigarettes (it's illegal to buy them here until you are 18), they said "from home". They took them from their parents. Now, I smoked for years, but it sure was a wake up call for me. My baby will do what I do. Quiet a responsibility.
And by the way--------- a while back I remember a conversation with a mom and dad that were complaining because their elementary school age kids were being taught that drinking alcohol was bad and the kids were saying things to them about drinking wine and beer. They were annoyed. So I agree . . . some of the problems start at home and with parent's attitudes.
Gulp. I hope to never be in this position with one of my children. This is one of those things that is hard for me to think about. But--------- I know I will have to be on top of it with my boys.
Did anyone see the movie "Pollock"? The end scene when he is wasted out of his mind and driving a convertible and the two sober women in the back seat riding with him------ who were killed as he careened off the road. That scene gave me nightmares. Maybe I will put together a montage of things like that to scare the heck out of my boys so that they think twice before engaging in unsafe behavior.
Did anyone see the movie "Pollock"? The end scene when he is wasted out of his mind and driving a convertible and the two sober women in the back seat riding with him------ who were killed as he careened off the road. That scene gave me nightmares. Maybe I will put together a montage of things like that to scare the heck out of my boys so that they think twice before engaging in unsafe behavior.
Very very scary statistics indeed. I think even "good kids" who would not use illegal drugs are often the ones abusing prescription drugs. After all, it's prescribed right? How bad can it be. Also alcohol...many children grow up seeing their parents drink, and while I don't think it's necessarily a negative to see your parent have a drink, watching your parents become inebriated is a problem. Sets a terrible example. I know many parents who allow their underage children to drink at home, the attitude being, better at home then while out. I agree with having an open relationship with your children and discussing these things, but I do not think it's ok to help them engage in such behaviour.
When you look at the behaviours mentioned in this study, many are those which adults engage in. Hmmm, I wonder where kids are getting the idea it's ok. We cannot tell them not to, then do it ourselves. Parents must be more aware of the example we are setting for our children.
When you look at the behaviours mentioned in this study, many are those which adults engage in. Hmmm, I wonder where kids are getting the idea it's ok. We cannot tell them not to, then do it ourselves. Parents must be more aware of the example we are setting for our children.
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