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Drug abuse among teens on the rise

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Contributed by: James Hibbard on 6/23/2006

By James Hibbard
Adams County Coroner

Pharming is NOT the word "farming" misspelled. The term pharming refers to the current teen practice of going through the family medicine cabinet looking for such powerful prescription drugs as oxycodone, hydrocodone, vicodin and other similar drugs. These drugs are then taken to "pharm parties," where they are combined with baggies of random pills called 'trail mix,' and thrown into large bowls to be shared.

Many teens mistakenly believe that taking prescription drugs in this way is harmless. Their logic is that since the drugs are prescribed, they must be safe. These mixed pills taken alone create a substantial risk of lethal overdose. Unfortunately, many people who engage in pharm parties mix alcohol with the drugs. Numerous teen deaths brought about by the deadly combination of drugs and alcohol have been recorded. The simple truth is, the victims had no idea that what they were doing could kill them.

A 2005 survey sponsored by Drug Free America indicates that the use of prescription drugs among teens is on the increase. 19 percent of U.S. teens, or appropriately 4.5 million youths, reported using prescription drugs like vicodin, oxycontin or Ritalin to get high. Prescription drug use is popular because it is easy access. Prescription drugs are viewed as more socially acceptable than street drugs and can be obtained from the family medicine cabinet or from fellow teens. Some teens admit to taking the drugs for a variety of reasons such as self-medication for depression or anxiety or studying for tests. Others admit to using just to get high.

Pharming is a trend that has taken hold on the East Coast and is finding its way west. To date Adams County has not seen an increase in illicit use of prescription drugs, but the coroner's office anticipates more usage and more deaths as this trend becomes more popular.

We believe that if parents are made aware of this deadly trend, they can take the appropriate, preventive steps with their teens to avoid the potential for tragedy.

What Can Parents Do?

-Remove and destroy all old or unused prescription medications from your home on a regular basis.
-Ensure that your children actually take the drugs prescribed for them and that they take them according to label instruction.
-Discuss with your children the potential hazards of taking any drug.
-Know that pharm parties and pharming are terms associated with the increasing use of prescription drugs by teens.
-Be aware that teens can find information on the Internet that describes pills by color and tells which ones to take together to achieve a high.

Kids who learn from their parents about the dangers of underage drinking, drugs and other harmful substances are less likely to use those substances. In other words, parents have the power to keep their children safe, healthy and drug-free.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

James Hibbard

Brighton , CO

James Hibbard has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 6/22/2006. James Hibbard 's average story rating is 0.

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