How to Deal With the Abuse of Prescription Drugs in School

In 2008 it was reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that prescription and over-the-counter medications are the most commonly abused drugs by high school students. With some concentrated effort, you can deal with the abuse of prescription drugs at school.

Instructions

• 1

  Store your personal prescription medications in a safe area outside the bathroom--especially if you are taking stimulants, opioids or depressants, which are the most commonly abused by teenagers. By keeping drugs out of reach, you are also keeping them from potentially being abused by students while at school.

• 2

  Talk to your child about the dangers of prescription drug abuse before they encounter them at school. Explain that these drugs are unsafe to take unless they are prescribed to them by a doctor. Teach them how to respond to peer pressure and how to say "no" if they are offered drugs while at school. Also, teach your child or teenager who to go too when they encounter prescription drug use at school. Let her know she should report abuse to teachers, counselors and other school staff.

• 3

  Monitor your child's activities. Ask the school to report instances where your child is late or does not show up for class. For after school hours, ask what your child is doing, whom he is with and where he is going. Verify the information regarding after-school activities with the school and faculty coordinator.

• 4

  Ask for a meeting with the faculty, staff and other parents to educate yourself for the signs, symptoms and dangers of prescription drugs. The teachers and other faculty will be the first to notice personality and behavioral changes if drug abuse is taking place in school.

• 5

  Plan or sponsor a school event to talk about the dangers of prescription drug with the students. Guest speakers should invited--from both law enforcement and those who have abused prescription drugs themselves. Allow the students to interact and ask questions to keep them interested and influenced by the topics discussed.