Life Skills
Teens (Ages 12-15)
15 min
Prescription Drugs — When Medicine Becomes a Problem
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1
The Hook
Where do most teens get prescription drugs they misuse? Not from a dealer. They get them from a friend or family member, often for free, right out of a home medicine cabinet. A drug being prescribed by a doctor doesn't automatically make it safe for anyone to take, anytime they want. The most common risks are often hiding in plain sight.
2
The Real Talk
Just because a medicine comes from a pharmacy doesn't mean it's risk-free. Prescription drug misuse means taking a medication in a way it wasn't intended. This includes taking more than the doctor said, taking a prescription that belongs to someone else, or taking it just to get high.Think about two common types:Opioid Painkillers: These are powerful drugs prescribed for severe pain, like after surgery. They work on the same receptors in your brain as heroin. Your brain adapts to them quickly, which is why dependence can start in just a few days. Many people who develop an opioid addiction started with a legitimate prescription.Stimulants: Sometimes called 'study drugs,' these are often prescribed for ADHD. Some students misuse them hoping for better grades, but research shows they don't a...
3
The Story
Mateo, 14, badly sprained his ankle playing soccer. The doctor prescribed a few days' worth of a strong painkiller and told him exactly when to take it and when to stop. After two days, his ankle felt much better, and he stopped the medication. He had more than half the bottle left.
His friend shrugged. "Just save them. You might need them next time, or we could use them to chill later." Mateo hesitated. He remembered his health teacher explaining that these pills were chemically related to heroin. Having them around felt like a risk he didn't need to take. He told his mom what his friend said, and they looked up a safe disposal site. Together, they dropped the rest of the pills in a pharmacy take-back box. Mateo realized that making a safe choice wasn't just about saying no, but also abo...
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Beginner
Sofia finds her dad's leftover opioid painkillers from a recent surgery. She has a bad headache and thinks about taking one. What is the safest and most responsible choice for Sofia to make?
A.Tell her dad about the leftover pills and suggest they find a safe disposal site.
B.Ask her dad if she can have one for her headache.
C.Take just one pill since it's a strong painkiller.
D.Hide the pills in her room in case she needs them for a future sports injury.
Beginner
According to the lesson's 'Hook,' where do most teens who misuse prescription drugs get them from?
A.Online pharmacies that don't require a prescription.
B.A friend or family member, often from a home medicine cabinet.
C.A drug dealer who also sells illegal drugs.
D.Buying them from other students in the school bathroom.
Beginner
The lesson compares taking someone else's prescription medication to wearing their prescription glasses. What is the main point of this analogy?
A.Both can give you a headache if you use them for too long.
B.Both are expensive and should not be shared for financial reasons.
C.Both are calibrated for a specific person's body and brain chemistry.
D.Both are easy to find in a person's home.
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