2,500

That’s the number of American kids, between the ages of 12 and 17, who take their first prescription painkiller every single day that wasn’t prescribed to them.  And you might be surprised to discover there are two places they get these prescription strength painkillers: their own medicine cabinets or the medicine cabinets of their friends.  Shocking, yes?

Georgia is on a mission, though.  The Georgia Chapter of Narconon, along with area sheriffs departments, has instituted what’s been named “Operation Medicine Cabinet”.  The goal is to get as many unused and no longer needed prescription drugs out of these medicine cabinets for safe disposal.  Clearly, this is a program that can benefit every community in America.  Keep reading for even more shocking statistics:

• Prescription drugs are abused more often by teens than any street drug other than marijuana.
• Teens are under the impression that using prescription drugs is safer than street drugs
• 1 in 5 teens admit to abusing prescription medications
• 1 in 10 admit to abusing over the counter cough medicines to get high
• “Pharm parties”, defined as a group of teens who get together and toss prescription pills into a bowl, and then randomly select which pills to take with no thought to what they are and how they may interact with other pills they select, is on the rise.

Clearly, as parents, our concerns are generally directed to what our kids come in contact with outside our homes; however, these statistics reveal our battles may begin long before they ever leave the house. 

This practice of abusing prescription drugs has other dangers as well.  Specifically, concerns of these drugs becoming the “gateway drug” that leads to the abuse of other drugs, such as meth and cocaine, are on the rise.  We have all seen the repercussions of those addicted to drugs and the extent addicts will go to ensure their next high.  Theft, prostitution and other illegal behaviors are common and as you might expect, on the rise as well.

For more information on Operation Medicine Cabinet, visit Georgia’s Narconon Chapter.