New NIDA video aimed at teens presents the
real dangers about painkiller abuse
MONTGOMERY
– The Alabama Department of Mental Health wants to encourage teens and parents
to learn the facts about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Every day in
the United States,
2,500 American teens ages 12 to 17 illegally take a prescription pain reliever
for the first time. October is “Talk About Prescriptions Month,” and the
National Institute on Drug Abuse is reaching out to teens through an
educational video launched recently to promote the observance.
The video features NIDA scientists explaining the risks and
dangers of abusing painkillers. NIDA hopes teens will watch the video at their
Web site for teens, http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov/
to learn about these dangers and get safety tips to keep in mind when they get
a prescription from their doctors. According to a survey, more than 16 million
Americans age 12 and older took a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer,
stimulant, or sedative just for the effect, at least once in the previous year.
Kent Hunt, associate commissioner for the department’s
Division of Substance Abuse Services, says, “Prescription drugs are essential
to our health. However, they also represent a growing problem in Alabama. Increasing
numbers of people are taking prescription drugs just for the effect, not the
medicinal purpose for which they were created.” He goes on to say, “I encourage
everyone to visit the NIDA Web site to learn about appropriate usage, addictive
properties, and other important facts about prescription drugs. Most of all, I
encourage teens to talk to a responsible adult about prescription drug abuse.
They can be live savers when used appropriately, but can become serious life
problems when used inappropriately.”
In addition to the new painkillers video, NIDA offers teens
and parents other resources about prescription drug abuse including tips about
safeguarding and properly disposing of medications, the Sara Bellum Blog, and
much more.
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RESOURCES
Information about substance abuse treatment is available
from the ADMH Division of Substance Abuse Services at (334) 242-3961 or by
visiting the Web site at www.mh.alabama.gov.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse Web site contains a
large amount of information regarding substance abuse and statistics. Visit http://www.nida.nih.gov/.