(Source: www.wsiltv.com)
Labels: prescription drugs, illinois, abuse
Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Southern Illinois Steps Up Prescription Drug Abuse Warnings
Authorities in southern Illinois are stepping up warnings about prescription drug abuse, especially by teenagers. Recent research has shown that prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest-growing trends in addiction in the United States. Wayne County Sheriff Jim Hinkle, who commented for a recent article, believes that more and more teens are using prescription substances because they are so easy to obtain, saying "They're getting them from their parents and grandparents." Sheriff Hinkle advises adults to get rid of old, unused prescriptions, as leaving them in the house makes it easier for kids to get to them.
(Source: www.wsiltv.com)
(Source: www.wsiltv.com)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
School Officials Concerned about Caffeine Abuse
School officials in North Carolina are concerned about the excessive caffeine consumption by many students. A recent survey of Charlotte-Mecklenburg students indicated that caffeine-laden energy drinks are extremely popular with teens - a fact that has some local drug abuse prevention officials worried.
To collect baseline data on teen use of energy drinks, Charlotte's Substance Abuse Prevention Services included questions about energy drinks in its annual student survey. According to this year's survey, one-third of participating students reported consuming energy drinks. A recent study published by the Journal of American College Health has also spurred concern over energy drinks; the study linked consumption of energy drinks to troubling behaviors among teens.
Although the U.S. has not issued official recommended caffeine limits for teens, the Canadian government recommends that youth ages 10 to 12 consume no more than 85 milligrams of caffeine per day. Many energy drinks contain about twice the recommended amount of caffeine - as much as 160 milligrams, the equivalent of four cans of Coke. Experts warn that excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, irritability, and headaches.
(Source: www.charlotteobserver.com)
To collect baseline data on teen use of energy drinks, Charlotte's Substance Abuse Prevention Services included questions about energy drinks in its annual student survey. According to this year's survey, one-third of participating students reported consuming energy drinks. A recent study published by the Journal of American College Health has also spurred concern over energy drinks; the study linked consumption of energy drinks to troubling behaviors among teens.
Although the U.S. has not issued official recommended caffeine limits for teens, the Canadian government recommends that youth ages 10 to 12 consume no more than 85 milligrams of caffeine per day. Many energy drinks contain about twice the recommended amount of caffeine - as much as 160 milligrams, the equivalent of four cans of Coke. Experts warn that excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, irritability, and headaches.
(Source: www.charlotteobserver.com)
Labels: caffeine, abuse, kids, high school kids
Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Protecting Children from Prescription Drug Abuse
Approximately 1 in 5 teens have abused a prescription drug, but there are steps that parents can take to help prevent prescription drug abuse. Three easy measures can help keep prescription medications out of the hands of teenage recreational users.
First, parents should carefully monitor medication. This includes keeping track of all prescriptions for family members, including the frequency of refills. If pills start to disappear at a faster rate than the prescription dictates, this is a sign of a possible problem. In addition, ask friends and relatives to do the same, and inform them about the high risks associated with prescription drug abuse.
Second, parents should make sure that prescription medications are secure. In a recent government study, over two-thirds of teens who reported abusing prescription substances said they got the substances from a friend or relative (without their knowledge). Prescription medications should be safely hidden or kept under lock and key to prevent dangerous misuse. Don't leave them unattended in the medicine cabinet.
Third, parents should safely dispose of medications that are no longer in use. Many pharmacies will accept unfinished prescriptions for disposal - a much safer alternative to simply throwing half-full bottles in the household trash.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
First, parents should carefully monitor medication. This includes keeping track of all prescriptions for family members, including the frequency of refills. If pills start to disappear at a faster rate than the prescription dictates, this is a sign of a possible problem. In addition, ask friends and relatives to do the same, and inform them about the high risks associated with prescription drug abuse.
Second, parents should make sure that prescription medications are secure. In a recent government study, over two-thirds of teens who reported abusing prescription substances said they got the substances from a friend or relative (without their knowledge). Prescription medications should be safely hidden or kept under lock and key to prevent dangerous misuse. Don't leave them unattended in the medicine cabinet.
Third, parents should safely dispose of medications that are no longer in use. Many pharmacies will accept unfinished prescriptions for disposal - a much safer alternative to simply throwing half-full bottles in the household trash.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
Labels: prescription drugs, abuse, kids
Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments
Friday, February 27, 2009
Alcohol and Drug Use Increasing in Small-Town Illinois
According to an article published on the local news website for Wabash Valley, Illinois, teen drug and alcohol abuse has increased over the past year. The data come from the Body Electric Coalition, which conducted a study of teen behavior in East Central Illinois. The findings contradict the 10-year trend, which shows an overall decrease in alcohol and drug abuse. In addition, use of one significant substance - methamphetamine - is down from the past year.
The director of the Body Electric Coalition commented on the recent increase and related behaviors: "By and large drug use over the ten years have gone down as have alcohol and tobacco use...[however] we're also finding that violence, teen dating abuse, pregnancy, and those issues that have to do with teen sexuality are also on an uprise. (Sources: www.mywabashvalley.com)
Labels: behaviors, abuse, teen-addiction
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