The fact is prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest growing drug problem. Education is key to preventing abuse among young adults. Kids who learn at home about the risks involved in taking prescription drugs are 50% less likely to use them.

More to consider:

• Prescription painkillers are highly addictive and long-term use can quickly lead to physical dependence.
• Painkillers like oxycodone and Vicodin are now the most common drugs involved in fatal overdoses among young people, and have the same active ingredient as heroin. Many who abuse prescription painkillers think of heroin as a low-class drug that they would never consider using. What they don’t realize, is that they are already addicted to a form of it.
• Teens in particular have the false sense that prescription painkillers are safer to use than street drugs. In addition, they’re usually easier to obtain. Oftentimes, they just open their parents’ medicine cabinet.
• Prescription opiates are gateway drugs to heroin, which is cheaper and easier to find.

Understanding the risks of taking prescription painkillers and keeping them out of the hands of teens is the key to preventing painkiller addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription painkiller addiction, or if you have questions, please call the the patient support specialists at Horizon Health Services at (716) 831-1800.