NOT PRESCRIBED Teen Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Lesson

Learning ObjectivesStudents will know and understand:

The risks and consequences of prescription drug misuse on physical and mental health as well as behavior

The short- and long-term psychological effects of prescription drug abuse and its impact on life goals

The impact of prescription drug misuse and abuse on user, family, friends, and community

How to refuse or avoid misusing prescription drugs How to advocate for your friends’ and family’s health,

even in emergency situations

Reactions:• In just a few words, what do you think or feel

about what you just saw in the video?• What was the most surprising thing that you

learned about medicine abuse from the video?

Taking prescription drugs without a prescription is safer than taking illegal drugs.

Risks of Medicine Abuse:

SHORT TERM

• Mood changes – irritability• Disinterest in

activities/hobbies/goals• Fatigue• Low blood pressure• Decreased breathing rate• Confusion & impaired decision

making• Red or glazed eyes• Repeated health complaints• Secretiveness and withdrawing from

family or friends• Overdose

LONG TERM

• Depression• Stroke/cardiac arrest• Paralysis• Brain damage• Heart failure• Death

Prescription pain relievers, such as Vicodin or Oxycotin, are not addictive.

Link between prescription pain reliever abuse and heroin abuse:

• Young people, who previously never would consider using heroin, are introduced to the opioid high of prescription painkillers. Many make the leap to heroin, which is much cheaper than the prescription pills.

• 80% of people who had recently used heroin had previously used prescription pain relievers illegally.

Using prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin or Adderall, without a prescription to help you study is safe.

StimulantsStimulants have slightly different warning signs

and risks from pain relievers. • Mood changes - increased agitation, anxiety, irritability, and

impulsivity • Dangerously high body temperature• Insomnia • High blood pressure • Irregular heart rate• Seizures• Heart failure• Death

You should be concerned if a friend were to try prescription drugs to get high.

What Can YOU Do?

• Do you know anyone who has misused prescription medications?

• Now after watching and discussing this video, do you think you could help them? If so, what do you think you would do?

• Do you think you would call for emergency help if you were with a person who overdoses?

– Good Samaritan Laws in CO: you can call 911 if your friend is overdosing and you will not get in trouble with the law

• Anonymous• Telling isn’t snitching – telling saves lives

• Break the code of silence

Now that you know, what would you DO?• Focus on your personal goals

– Getting into college– Earning a scholarship– Sports team – Commitment to club or after-school activities – Commitments to your family and friends

• It’s OK to make excuses when you refuse to use: – I can’t stay; I’ve got to help my dad with something.– That stuff makes me sick.– I’m supposed to meet (friend’s name) in a few minutes.– No way—I know someone who got into trouble for using.

• Did you hear about that kid in the news who overdosed and died? – I’m not into that.– My mom would kill me if she found out.– I’d be suspended from the team.– I have a game coming up; no thanks.

Take Action to Rise Above

• Commit to your goals and commitments and refuse to misuse prescription medications

• Be the change you want to see and inform your friends and family about what you know

• Be a courageous friend and step in if needed

• Talk to a trusted adult• Report to Safe2Tell

Educate & Advocate with Rise Above CO • Share the Not Prescribed video on social media

• Connect with Rise Above Colorado on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share your thoughts about how you and your peers can help others rise above prescription drug abuse

Facebook: RiseAboveCO

Twitter: @RiseAboveCO

Instagram: @RiseAboveCo