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 As a knowledgeable professional, you can direct those in need of information to a wide variety of resources available to help prevent prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse in Iowa.
Here are just a few key resources with insights that may be helpful: Older Adults… Links and ResourcesIowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy
Get a copy of the brochure, “Talking About Prescription Drug Misuse” in PDF form from the Web site of the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy. As You Age Guide
Obtain a free copy of As You Age...A Guide to Aging, Medicines and Alcohol—ajoint effort of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357). As You Age Campaign Materials
Access additional materials in the As You Age campaign to warn older Americans of the dangers of mixing certain prescription drugs or prescription medications and alcohol. Download these materials or order online. Alliance for Aging Research
To obtain a copy of “When Medicine Hurts Instead of Helps: Preventing Medication Problems in Older Persons,” contact: Alliance for Aging Research, 2021K Street NW, Suite 305, Washington, DC 20006 Phone: 1-202 293-2856
Web site: www.agingresearch.org Older Americans Technical Assistance Center
For more information on the use of medications or other topics offered in the Professional Reference Series, contact:
Older Americans Substance Abuse and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
Phone: 1-888-281-8010
E-mail:
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Web site: www.samhsa.gov/OlderAdultsTAC Drug Reaction Information Learn additional details about drug reactions and seniors from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organizations representing more than 93,700 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students.
American Academy of Family Physicians U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse Key Warning Signs of Prescription Painkiller Dependency Five Key Steps for Parents to Prevent Teen Abuse of Medicines
Encourage parents of teens to adopt these key practices in their home to prevent the abuse of readily available prescription and over the counter drugs: - Understand why teens abuse prescription and OTC drugs. Teens abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. A major reason is to relieve the stresses of personal or family-related relationships; academic competition; balancing schoolwork, grades, and extracurricular activities; the desire to fit in; or to have the “ideal” physical appearance.
- Set a good example. Parents shouldn’t abuse or share prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications. Encourage them to make their values about proper medication use clear and take the use of medication seriously.
- Secure the medicine cabinet. Parents need to take inventory in their own home and other homes where their teen may have access.
- Be familiar with the signs of abuse: They include slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating, nausea, vomiting, numbness of extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness and dizziness, among others.
- Be vigilant about their teen and children’ activities online. Anyone who has a computer and a credit card can order prescription drugs online. Parents should monitor the Web sites their teen has visited and track purchases made with a credit card.
Helpful Web Sites for Parents When you or those you assist need more information, here are a few key online resources that may be helpful to you and to parents about the abuse of medicines: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Prescription Drug Abuse Info
Partnership for Drug Free America Time to Talk Tips — A Guide for Parents’ Conversations with Kids National Youth Anti- Drug Media Campaign Benzodiazepines — Facts from Center for Substance Abuse Research Prescription Medicine Misuse and Abuse: A Growing Problem — From the Partnership for a Drug-Free America
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