Over 300,000 Canadian kids have taken prescription medications NOT prescribed to them. ¹

In other words, approximately 1 in 10 Canadian teenagers has admitted to taking prescription drugs (including painkillers, stimulants, and depressants) to get high, and 59% of them say they stole the pills from home. ²

¹Source – PDFC estimate ² Source - CAMH – Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (2013 OSDUHS)

 

The statistics show a significant decline (2009 = 20%, 2011 = 17%,  2013 = 14%,  2015 = 12%) in the number of kids who admit to taking prescription drugs, which can be attributed in part to an increased public awareness of the problem of prescription drug misuse.

That said, thousands of teenagers continue to loot from medicine cabinets at home to get medications, most of which are opioid painkillers.

In many cases, the medicine cabinet at home has replaced the local drug pusher as the source of teenagers' drugs of choice.

 

#SecureYourMeds!

Our last PSA Campaign tackles the issue of prescription drug abuse by youth in Canada.

SecureYourMeds.ca reminds parents to take back all unused or expired prescription medications to your local pharmacy.

 

The PDFC's annual National Drug Take Back Campaign

This initiative is in partnership with Shopper's Drug Mart and Pharmaprix (in Québec) and was created to increase public awareness about the importance of taking back unused and expired medications for safe disposal by pharmacies.

In 2013 and 2014, our National Drug Take Back Campaign collected over 581 tons of old prescription and over-the-counter medications. 

Last year, Loblaws pharmacies along with Provigo pharmacies (in Québec) joined in and all these pharmacies together collected 620 tons of drugs.

The PDFC Drug Take Back Campaign 3 year total for 2013, 2014, and 2015?

1,201 tons of prescription and over the counter medications!

 

That's the size of approximately 200 African elephants! 

This drug take back initiative has such a positive impact on the environment and on our children's and teen's health by keeping prescription medications out of their reach.

Our National Drug Take Back Campaign returns in the summer of 2016!

 

 

 

 

Prescription Drugs: Why do people abuse them?

 

 

Here's a list of some of the most commonly abused prescription medications.

• Opioids/ Painkillers

  What are painkillers or opioids?

  Opioids are drugs that contain opium or are derived from and imitate opium. They are prescribed for pain relief and are only available by prescription. Most opioid or painkilling drugs are non-refillable and, when used properly under a medical doctor’s supervision, are safe and effective. Opioid drugs act by effectively changing the way a person experiences pain.

  Morphine derivatives (or “narcotics”) come from opioids and are used to therapeutically treat pain, suppress coughing, alleviate diarrhea, and induce anesthesia. When using these narcotics, abusers experience a general sense of well-being by reduced tension, anxiety, and aggression.

  Examples of Painkillers

  Some of the most well-known painkillers are listed below with the names you might find on a prescription label. Note that although painkillers have different potencies and are taken in different ways, when they are abused, all pose a risk for addiction and other serious effects.

  • Codeine: like morphine, this is found in opium, is weaker in action than morphine, and is used especially as a painkiller.
  • Fentanyl (and fentanyl analogs): a man-made opioid painkiller similar to morphine that is administered as a skin patch or orally.
  • Morphine: the powerful, active ingredient of opium is used as a painkiller and sedative.
  • Opium: from the opium poppy, formerly used in medicine to soothe pain but is now often replaced by derivative alkaloids (as morphine or codeine) or man-made substitutes (opioids).
  • Hydrocodone: often combined with acetaminophen for use as a painkiller. Vicodin (which is not available in Canada, but can be found in the USA) is an example.
  • Oxycodone: a narcotic painkiller, for example Percocet and Percodan.

  Are Teens Abusing Painkillers?

  Painkillers are the prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens.

  Painkillers are also the most abused type of prescription drugs by 16- to 17-year-olds, followed by stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives. Almost two out of five teens report having friends that abuse prescription painkillers and nearly three out of 10 report having friends that abuse prescription stimulants.

  How Do Teens Take Painkillers?

  There are several ways painkillers can be taken. Most teens report swallowing pills, but they can also be crushed and snorted for an intensified effect.

  Signs and Symptoms

  Short-term effects
  Painkillers can cause drowsiness, inability to concentrate, apathy, lack of energy, constriction of the pupils, flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and most significantly, respiratory depression.

  Long-term effects
  If a teen abuses painkillers for a period of time, he can become addicted to the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms when he stops taking the drug. Associated with addiction is tolerance, which means more and more of the drug or a combination of drugs is needed to produce the same high or euphoric feeling, possibly, leading to overdose.

  Potential Drug Interactions

  Always consult your teens’ physician before giving them any medicines if they are already taking a prescribed painkiller or other medication, as it may be dangerous to use them together. Painkillers should not be used with alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines. Since these substances slow breathing, their combined effects could lead to life-threatening respiratory depression.

  What Is a Painkiller Overdose?

  Physical signs of painkiller overdose include pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, confusion, convulsions, severe drowsiness, and slow or troubled breathing.

  What Is Painkiller Withdrawal?

  Due to the physical dependence produced by chronic use of opioid painkillers, teens who are prescribed opioid medications need to be monitored not just when they are appropriately taking the medicine, but also when they stop using the drug to reduce or avoid withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and involuntary leg movements.

  Street or Slang Terms for Painkillers

  Oxies, OC, oxycotton, 80s, percs, vikes, and vikings are commonly used terms to refer to painkillers.

  

  Fentanyl

  

  Brief Description

  Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic similar to but more potent than morphine. It is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat people with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to opiates. It is a schedule II prescription drug.

  Names

  In its prescription form, fentanyl is known as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Street names for the drug include Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, as well as Tango and Cash.

  Effects

  Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opiate receptors, highly concentrated in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. When opiate drugs bind to these receptors, they can drive up dopamine levels in the brain’s reward areas, producing a state of euphoria and relaxation. Medications called opiate receptor antagonists act by blocking the effects of opiate drugs. Naloxone is one such antagonist. Overdoses of fentanyl should be treated immediately with an opiate antagonist.
  When prescribed by a physician, fentanyl is often administered via injection, transdermal patch, or in lozenge form. However, the type of fentanyl associated with recent overdoses was produced in clandestine laboratories and mixed with (or substituted for) heroin in a powder form.
  Mixing fentanyl with street-sold heroin or cocaine markedly amplifies their potency and potential dangers. Effects include: euphoria, drowsiness/respiratory depression and arrest, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, unconsciousness, coma, tolerance, and addiction and death.

• Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Estazolam (ProSom)
  • Zolpidem (Ambien)
  • Zaleplon (Sonata)
  • Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
  • Phenobarbital
  • Mephobarbital (Mebaral)
  • Sodium pentobarbital (Nembutal)
  • Secobarbital (Seconal)
  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Chlorazepate (Tranxene)
  • Meprobamate (Miltown)
  • Chloral hydrate (Noctec)
  • Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl)
  • Methaqualone (Quaalude)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Triazolam (Halcion)
  • Amobarbital (Amytal)
  • Oxazepam (Serax)
  • Temazepam (Restoril)

  Abuse of Prescription Antidepressants & Anti-Anxiety Drugs

  Depressants, or downers, are often prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of health conditions including anxiety and panic attacks, tension, acute stress reactions, and sleep disorders. When given in high doses, depressants may act as anesthesia.¹

  Often referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, depressants are substances that can slow normal brain function. Most depressants reduce brain function through a neurotransmitter called gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a chemical that enables communication between brain cells.

  While different depressants work in unique ways, they produce a drowsy or calming effect that can help those suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders.³ Because they can produce a state of intoxication, they have a high potential for abuse.

  Examples of Depressants

  Barbiturates are a type of depressant often prescribed to promote sleep.
  Benzodiazepines are a type of depressant prescribed to relieve anxiety.

  Are Teens Abusing Depressants?

  Depressants such as sedatives and tranquilizers have been growing in popularity among teens. In 2007, six percent of U.S. high school seniors reported abusing depressants including Valium and Xanax, compared to four percent in 1995.

  Signs and Symptoms

  Depressants have the potential for abuse and should be used only as prescribed.

  Be on the lookout for these side effects:

  • Physical side effects include dilated pupils and slurred speech; relaxed muscles; intoxication; loss of motor coordination; fatigue, respiratory depression; sensory alteration; and lowered blood pressure. Teens taking barbiturates may exhibit side effects such as slurred speech, dizziness, sedation, drowsiness, and fever.
  • Psychological side effects include poor concentration or feelings of confusion; impaired judgment; and lowered inhibitions. Teens on barbiturates may experience depression, fatigue, confusion, and irritability.

  If you have observed any of the symptoms or side effects listed above, contact a medical professional immediately.

  Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, muscle tremors, and loss of appetite. Going “cold-turkey” off of some depressants can have life-threatening complications, cause convulsions, delirium, and in rare instances, death.

  Because all depressants work by slowing the brain’s activity, when someone stops taking them, the brain’s activity can rebound and race out of control, possibly leading to seizures and other serious consequences.

  Symptoms including shallow breathing, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, or death.

  Interactions with Depressants

  Depressant abuse is often combined with the use of other drugs like alcohol, other prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and street drugs like marijuana.

  Combining these substances can be highly dangerous:

  Alcohol. Using depressants with alcohol can slow both the heart and breathing and may lead to death. When combined with alcohol, the effects and risks of depressants are seriously increased.

  Prescription drugs. Some interactions with other drugs can be risky. Depressants should be used in combination with other medications only under a physician’s close supervision.

  Over-the-counter drugs. Depressants should not be combined with any other medication or substance that causes central nervous system depression, including some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. Doing so may slow the heart and breathing, a serious health risk.

  Street or Slang Terms for Depressants

  Benzos, xanies, xani-bars, xani-bombs, and roofies are commonly used terms to refer to depressants.
  

• Stimulants

  • Adderal
  • Dexedrine
  • Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
  • Desoxyn
  • Destrostat

  Stimulant Abuse

  Stimulants are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as asthma, respiratory problems, obesity, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep disorders like narcolepsy.

  This class of drug is often abused for its ability to produce euphoric effects or to counteract sluggish feelings induced by tranquilizers or alcohol.¹ In the hands of teens, stimulants are taken to stay awake, increase alertness and concentration, boost energy, and get high. Sometimes teens go beyond swallowing these pills. If they are prescribed drugs for ADHD, they can save up their pills during the week and share them with friends at weekend parties. They then crush and snort them, or mix with alcohol. Teens also report saving and selling their own ADD drugs around exam time.

  Examples of Stimulants

  • Amphetamines and dextroamphetamine are stimulant drugs whose effects are similar to cocaine.
  • Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is part of a larger family of amphetamines.
  • Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant. It has effects similar to, but stronger than, caffeine and less potent than amphetamines.

  Signs and Symptoms

  Do you suspect your teen is abusing stimulants? If so, there are a number of symptoms and side effects to look for:

  • Physical side effects include dilated pupils; decreased appetite; loss of coordination; collapse; increased heart and respiratory rates; elevated blood pressure;dizziness; tremors; headache; flushed skin; chest pain with palpitations; excessive sweating; vomiting; and abdominal cramps.
  • Psychological side effects include feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and delusions;hostility and aggression; and panic, suicidal, or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia, often accompanied by auditory and visual hallucinations, may also occur.

  If you have observed any of the symptoms or side effects listed above, be mindful of the possibility of withdrawal or overdoses, as well.

  Withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing stimulant use may include depression, disturbance of sleep patterns, fatigue, and apathy.

  Overdose or death is preceded by high fever, convulsions, and heart failure. Since death in these cases is partially due to strain on the heart, physical exercise increases the risks of stimulant use.

  Interactions with Stimulants

  Stimulant abuse often goes along with the use of other substances like alcohol, other prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and the use of illegal substances like marijuana.

  Did you know?

  Alcohol: Teens who use alcohol and stimulants together are likely to drink more before feeling the effects of alcohol because of the stimulant effects; The result? When the stimulant effect(s) wear off, the alcohol kicks in.

  Prescription drugs:  Stimulants should only be used in combination with other medications under a physician’s careful supervision.

  Over-the-counter drugs:  There are dangers associated with mixing stimulants and over the counter drugs that contain decongestants. Blood pressure can become dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.

  Street or Slang Terms for Stimulants

  Ritz, rippers, dexies, and bennies are commonly used terms to refer to stimulants.