Opioids have become a serious problem among teenagers and there are things parents can do to protect their kids.
Talking Points:
- A big reason opioid use is dangerous for teens is how they affect the developing brain. The brain can develop all the way through age twenty-four, making it particularly vulnerable to changes and interruptions caused by opioid use.
- Ask the doctor if there are other ways to treat injuries rather than taking opioids.
- Make sure you are the one in charge of storing the prescription and making sure you child takes it at the appropriate times and in the correct dosage. Also, educate yourself on the prescription drug laws of your state or country and ensure those are being followed.
- Be open with your teens. Studies show that teens whose parents talked with them about prescription drug use were 42% less likely to misuse them.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you seen drugs impact families around you?
- What do you think keeps parents from wanting to talk with their kids about drugs of any kind?
- Have you ever had a child put on prescription drugs? If so, what was the experience like?
- What has kept you from having conversations with your kids about drug abuse?
- Do you ever talk about the opioid crisis with your kids? What are some ways you can bring up the subject (or drug abuse generally) in conversation?
- What are some good safeguards you can put in place to protect against the improper use of opioids and other pain medications?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
