News Archive

Drug Access in the Home Tied to Drug Use by Teens

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Parents need to be accountable for medications in the home and discard unused medications, according to UCSF School of Pharmacy volunteer faculty member and pain management specialist Peter Koo, PharmD. His comments were in response to an annual survey released this year on August 14, 2008 by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse. The survey concluded that parents who fail to monitor their children's school night activities, safeguard their prescription drugs, address the problem of drugs in their children's schools, and set good examples increase the risk that their 12- to 17-year old children will smoke, drink, and use illegal and prescription drugs. Almost one-half of teens surveyed said that painkillers are the most commonly abused prescription drug among teens.

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Full Story:

Parents' Prescription Drugs Pose Risk to Teens

More Information:

National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIII: Teens and Parents

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